Open Access Received: 22 July 2026   |   Accepted: 04 September 2026   |   Published: 07 September 2026

TWO-DIMENSIONAL Ti3CNTx CARBONITRIDE MXene: A REVIEW OF SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, CHARACTERIZATION AND PROSPECTIVE APPLICATIONS

Nietbay J. Uzakbergenov¹, Bokhodir B. Gulyamov¹, Mirazim A Sobitov², Shohjahon S Nazirov¹, Gulmira B. Khojieva², Shokir G’. Khojiev ¹

¹ Center for Advanced Technology under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, University Street, 3A, 100174, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
² Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, University Street 4, 100174 Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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Abstract. Two-dimensional transition metal carbonitride (Ti3CNTx) MXene has attracted growing scientific interest as a multifunctional nanomaterial, yet systematic reviews consolidating its synthesis, properties, and applications remain scarce compared to its carbide analogue Ti3C2Tx. This review provides a comprehensive account of Ti3CNTx, covering MAX (Mn+1AXn) phase precursor synthesis, selective etching routes (hydrofluoric acid (HF)-based, (MILD), and fluorine-free methods), and exfoliation strategies yielding single-layer nanosheets. The structural consequences of partial carbon-to-nitrogen substitution are discussed, including termination-dependent changes in lattice parameters, interlayer spacing, and electron density near the Fermi level. Nitrogen incorporation modifies the electronic structure of Ti3CNTx by redistributing the density of states near the Fermi level and influencing its charge-transport and optical behavior. Reported studies generally indicate metallic or near-metallic electronic characteristics, while specific surface terminations, defects, and compositional configurations may lead to semiconducting-like features. The mechanical, optical, electrochemical, catalytic, and adsorption properties of Ti3CNTx are critically examined with particular attention to the dependence of reported performance on composition, surface chemistry, morphology, synthesis conditions, and testing protocols. Ti3CNTx has demonstrated promising lithium-ion storage performance, including an experimentally reported discharge capacity of approximately 300 mAh g-1 under specific cycling conditions. Its photocatalytic behavior is discussed primarily in the context of heterostructured and photocatalysis-assisted systems, where Ti3CNTx can contribute to interfacial charge transfer and charge separation. Direct quantitative comparisons with Ti3C2Tx are considered only where experimental conditions are sufficiently comparable; otherwise, reported values are treated as material- and system-specific rather than evidence of universal superiority. Electromagnetic interference shielding, heavy metal adsorption, gas sensing, and photothermal cancer therapy applications are also reviewed. Current limitations-including synthesis reproducibility, ambient oxidation, and production cost-are critically evaluated.Fluorine-free synthesis, machine learning-assisted compositional design, and Ti3CNTx -based heterostructures are identified as priority directions for future research.

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Key words. MXene; Ti3CNTx; carbonitride; MAX phase; selective etching; nitrogen incorpora-tion; photocatalysis; electrochemical energy storage; heavy metal adsorption; oxida-tion stability


DOI: 10.66640/UJP-2026-5-00019

*Corresponding author: Shokir G’. Khojiev, Center for Advanced Technology under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, University Street, 3A, 100174, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Citation: Nietbay J. Uzakbergenov, Bokhodir B. Gulyamov, Mirazim A Sobitov, Shohjahon S Nazirov, Gulmira B. Khojieva, Shokir G’. Khojiev , TWO-DIMENSIONAL Ti3CNTx CARBONITRIDE MXene: A REVIEW OF SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, CHARACTERIZATION AND PROSPECTIVE APPLICATIONS. Uzbekistan Journal of Polymers, Vol. 5(3) 2026: pp.93-126. DOI: 10.66640/UJP-2026-5-00019

©2026 Uzbekistan Journal of Polymers