MXene ‐Enabled Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage: Structure, Performance, and Outlook

ABSTRACT The practical use of latent‐heat storage materials is frequently constrained by slow heat transfer, loss of the molten phase, and performance deterioration during repeated operation. MXenes provide a versatile platform for addressing these limitations because their conductive two‐dimensional structure can be combined with chemically active surfaces and adaptable three‐dimensional frameworks. This review evaluates MXene‐enabled phase change materials by connecting structural design with heat‐transfer behavior, energy‐storage capacity, molten‐phase retention, cycling durability, and light‐ or electricity‐driven heat generation. Particular attention is given to the differences among dispersed nanosheets, aerogels, foams, and hybrid conductive networks. Across the representative systems examined, thermal conductivity ranges from 0.146 to 2.052 W m −1 K −1 , and the maximum reported enhancement reaches 255.1%. Three‐dimensional aerogel and hybrid structures generally establish more continuous heat‐transfer routes and provide stronger physical retention of the phase change material than individually dispersed nanosheets. However, these benefits are sensitive to pore characteristics, interfacial resistance, MXene concentration, and the reduction in the phase‐changing fraction. The available evidence further shows that oxidation, sheet restacking, manufacturing complexity, and the competing requirements of conductivity and latent heat remain major obstacles to practical implementation. Progress toward application therefore depends on oxidation‐tolerant structures, reproducible long‐duration testing protocols, and fabrication methods that can be transferred to larger production scales.