  Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) show
impressive performance in applications, such as supercapacitors, batteries,
electromagnetic interference shielding, or electrocatalysis. These materials
combine the electronic and mechanical properties of 2D inorganic crystals with
chemically modifiable surfaces, and surface-engineered MXenes represent an
ideal platform for fundamental and applied studies of interfaces in 2D
functional materials. A natural step in structural engineering of MXene
compounds is the development and understanding of MXenes with various organic
functional groups covalently bound to inorganic 2D sheets. Such hybrid
structures have the potential to unite the tailorability of organic molecules
with the unique electronic properties of inorganic 2D solids. Here, we
introduce a new family of hybrid MXenes (h-MXenes) with amido- and
imido-bonding between organic and inorganic parts. The description of h-MXene
structure requires an intricate mix of concepts from the fields of coordination
chemistry, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and surface science. The optical
properties of h-MXenes reveal coherent coupling between the organic and
inorganic components. h-MXenes also show superior stability against hydrolysis
in aqueous solutions.
