ACS Paper: MXene-Based Anticorrosive Coatings Evolve from Passive Barrier to Smart Protection

July 19, 2026

ACS Publications (Chemistry of Materials) USA

Overview

A comprehensive review paper on MXene-based anticorrosive coatings has been published in ACS Publications (Chemistry of Materials). The review outlines the current evolution of MXene coatings from conventional passive barriers to advanced smart protective functionalities, along with challenges and future prospects. MXene has been shown to significantly enhance the anticorrosive performance of polymer coatings due to its high aspect ratio, tunable surface terminations, and strong barrier effect. This will substantially contribute to extending material lifespans and reducing costs in infrastructure, automotive, and aerospace industries.

In Depth

Key Findings

A recent review paper published in ACS Publications (Chemistry of Materials) provides a detailed analysis of the groundbreaking advancements, existing challenges, and future prospects of MXene-based anticorrosive coatings. The core of this review clearly demonstrates that MXene coatings are evolving beyond their traditional function as a mere ‘passive barrier’ to offer ‘smart protection.’ The inherent high aspect ratio, easily tunable surface terminations, and powerful physical barrier effect of MXenes have been repeatedly shown to dramatically enhance the anticorrosive performance of polymer coatings across various studies.

Technical / Clinical Details

MXenes are a family of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides that have rapidly gained attention due to their unique layered structure, excellent electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and mechanical strength. In anticorrosive coating applications, MXene nanosheets uniformly dispersed within a polymer matrix enhance the tortuous path effect, physically blocking the permeation of corrosive species like water, oxygen, and ions. Furthermore, the tunable surface terminations of MXenes (e.g., -O, -OH, -F) strengthen interactions with the polymer matrix, improving coating adhesion and mechanical stability. Some research also explores the potential of ‘smart anticorrosion’ where MXenes confer self-healing capabilities or pH responsiveness, actively inhibiting corrosion at damaged sites.

Background & Context

Corrosion is a pervasive problem costing the global economy trillions of dollars annually, affecting almost all industrial sectors including infrastructure, transportation, energy, and manufacturing. With tightening regulations on environmentally harmful anticorrosive pigments (e.g., hexavalent chromium), there is a growing demand for more sustainable and high-performance anticorrosive solutions. MXene-based coatings emerge as a promising alternative in this context, breaking through the limitations of existing anticorrosion technologies and offering long-term protection with reduced environmental impact. This technology is critical for reducing material lifecycle costs and enhancing safety.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This review suggests that MXene-based anticorrosive coatings will continue to develop rapidly. Researchers and engineers will focus on scaling up MXene production, optimizing composite coating systems, and evaluating long-term durability and performance in real-world environments. In the future, next-generation smart anticorrosive coatings equipped with self-healing and sensing capabilities are expected to be commercialized, dramatically improving the safety and lifespan of structures. Investors and industry stakeholders are keenly interested in the immense market opportunities presented by this innovative material and its contribution to achieving a sustainable society.

Source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsanm.6c01634

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