Beyond the atomic layer: Cutting-edge coating technologies for graphene and MXenes

Graphene and MXenes are two-dimensional (2D) materials that have recently attracted a lot of interest as advanced coating materials because of their remarkable mechanical strength, chemical stability, and distinctive electrical characteristics. Enhancing performance in a variety of industrial and functional applications has become possible due to the incorporation of these materials into coatings. This mini-review gives a summary of current advancements in the creation and application of 2D material-based coatings, focusing on fabrication techniques such as chemical vapor deposition, layer-by-layer assembly, dip-coating, and spray-coating. As far as process simplicity, scalability, or customization of coating topologies, each of these methods has unique benefits that allow for coatings with improved structural and functional qualities. The key uses mentioned are anti-corrosion surfaces for better environmental protection, wear-resistant layers for mechanical durability, and conductive coatings for flexible electronics. When compared to traditional methods, 2D materials have shown notable gains in conductivity, hardness, and long-term stability in these domains. However, obstacles like weak interfacial adhesion, restricted large-scale production, and susceptibility to environmental degradation still prevent wider adoption. Promising approaches of getting over these restrictions are examined, including surface modification, hybrid material design, and eco-friendly processing. The review highlights the significance of scalable, sustainable, and multifunctional coating systems in its conclusion, which offers insights into potential future research avenues. It is projected that the incorporation of 2D materials into next-generation coatings will be crucial to the advancement of electrical, protective, and energy technologies, as well as to meeting the growing need for ecologically friendly solutions.