In Conversation with Prof. Yury Gogotsi: From MXene Invention to the Future of Energy Materials

On April 8, 2026, the Editorial Office of Energy Z interviewed Prof. Yury Gogotsi, Advisory Editor of the journal and one of the world's most influential materials scientists. As the globally recognized pioneer and founder of MXene materials, Prof. Gogotsi has played a central role in transforming MXenes from their initial discovery in to a rapidly expanding global research frontier. His work has significantly advanced the development of two-dimensional (2D) functional materials for applications in energy storage, catalysis, and structural systems.

In this in-depth conversation, Prof. Gogotsi shared his insights on the origins, evolution, cutting-edge breakthroughs, industrial translation, and future directions of MXenes and advanced energy materials, offering valuable guidance for researchers working across electrochemistry, materials science, and clean energy technologies.

Key Discussion Topics:

• The original vision behind the 2011 discovery of Ti₃C₂T_x, and the development of MXene into a global field from its inception
• New breakthroughs in high-entropy MXenes and one-dimensional (1D) MXene nanoscrolls, and their potential to address restacking and ion transport limitations in 2D materials
• The role of MXenes and 2D materials in clean energy, driven by energy security, artificial intelligence (AI)/data centers, defense, and emerging markets
• Technical and economic bottlenecks in ton-scale MXene production, and the potential of dry/gas-phase synthesis as a next-generation approach
• Balancing long-term research investment in MXenes with the exploration of future energy material systems and interdisciplinary directions
• Advice for young researchers aiming to achieve transformative impact and contribute to a sustainable energy future

Interview Questions:

Q1. You are widely recognized as the founder of MXene materials. Looking back at the 2011 discovery of Ti₃C₂T_x, how did you initially foresee its potential in electrochemical energy storage? What core vision guided you in building this field from its inception into a global research frontier?
Q2. On September 4, 2025, your group reported high-entropy MXenes incorporating nine metals, along with 1D MXene nanoscrolls. How do these new structures solve the long-standing challenges of restacking and ion transport in 2D materials? What breakthrough applications do you anticipate in batteries, supercapacitors, or electrocatalysis in the next 3-5 years?
Q3. A recent article in Nature Reviews Clean Technology highlighted that the resilience of clean energy in 2025 is being driven not only by climate policy, but also by energy security, AI/data centers, defense, and emerging markets. How do MXenes and 2D materials fit into these four non-climate drivers? Which application area do you consider most urgent for industrial translation?
Q4. While MXenes have seen explosive academic growth, challenges persist in large-scale manufacturing and material stability. Your team is now exploring dry/gas-phase synthesis as an alternative to traditional wet etching methods. What are the key technical and economic hurdles to achieving ton-scale MXene production? How can industry partnerships accelerate commercialization in energy storage applications?
Q5. Beyond MXenes, what emerging material systems or interdisciplinary research directions are you currently focusing on for future energy technologies? How do you balance sustained investment in MXenes with exploration of next-generation electrochemical systems, solid-state batteries, or hydrogen technologies?
Q6. You have maintained close collaborations with universities in China and have mentored many young scientists. For the next generation working on energy materials and 2D materials, what qualities and research strategies are most critical for achieving transformative impact? How can they contribute effectively to a sustainable energy future?

About the Interviewee:

Editor: Chaowei Luo
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Energy Z