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Page 40 of 57 Zheng et al. Soft Sci. 2026, 6, 32

fabrics made from these yarns can have surface capacitances of up to 760 mF·cm -1[121] . These yarns have been
successfully incorporated into fabric supercapacitor prototypes that can power sensor systems through
automated knitting platforms . Moreover, quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion supercapacitors built using gel
[136]
electrolytes and Mg -crosslinked Ti C T fibers provide information for creating new, secure wearable
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energy storage devices .
[145]
MXene fibers are used in energy harvesting to transform scattered environmental energy sources, including
mechanical, light, and thermal energy, into electrical power. Mokhtari et al. created a nanogenerator by
combining PVDF-trifluoroethylene (TrFE) electrospun fibers with MXene flakes, utilizing the triboelectric
effect [157] . As shown in Figure 13G, this device produces an output power density of 19 mW·cm by
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converting low-frequency acoustic vibrations (<​ 200 Hz) into electricity. Simultaneously, MXene’s highly
effective broadband light absorption and localized surface plasmon resonance effect provide remarkable
photothermal conversion capabilities, allowing coated fabrics to show antibacterial qualities and quick
heating under sunshine. More significantly, MXene fibers are also very effective materials for joule heating.
MXene-fiber textiles can serve as sustainable heat sources in addition to active thermal management thanks
to their dual photothermal and electrothermal conversion capabilities. They can generate electricity from
gathered solar energy or heat from human waste when combined with flexible thermoelectric generators,
opening the door for self-powered smart textile systems. Based on cellulose nanocrystal-MXene composite
cotton fabric, Yang et al. created a flexible hydroelectric generator, according to preliminary research [158] .
Continuous power generation under moisture exposure is made possible by its current generating method,
as seen in Figure 13H. The photothermal impact of the MXene further improves output performance under
illumination [Figure 13I], showing promise for using human or environmental perspiration as a source of
energy for wearable technology [Figure 13J].

Thermal management
With their very effective and adjustable electrothermal, photothermal, and infrared radiation capabilities,
MXene-based fibers offer a vital material basis for creating adaptive thermal management smart textiles that
can react dynamically to human and environmental demands. Joule heating, photothermal conversion, and
infrared radiation regulation, which correspond to active heating, passive solar heating, and radiative thermal
management modes, respectively. They are the three main components of their thermal management
methods.

When it comes to Joule heating, MXene’s low transverse thermal conductivity and strong in-plane electrical
conductivity allow for effective and consistent electrothermal conversion even at low applied voltages . For
[164]
example, MXene/PVA composite fibers made by hydrospinning and thermal stretching show great promise
as wearable flexible heating materials because they provide fine steady-state temperature control within
90-130 °C by voltage modulation and accomplish rapid heating (>10 °C/s) at 3-5 V [119] . Building MXene
conductive networks on traditional textile substrates is a more workable approach. For example, at safe
voltages of 6-12 V, MXene put onto cotton, polyester, or silk surfaces by spraying or impregnation
techniques produces notable and consistent heating effects [164,165] . Surface temperatures can reach 80-150 °C
while maintaining the fabric’s elasticity, breathability, and wear comfort, as seen in Figure 14A [165,166] . These
active heating materials have promising uses in outdoor sports, arctic activities, and customized precision
heating.

MXene (specifically Ti C T ) shows broad-spectrum high absorption throughout the solar spectrum in
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photothermal conversion, notably in the near-infrared region. The effectiveness of photothermal conversion
is further improved by its surface plasmon resonance effect. When exposed to simulated sunlight,
MXene-coated fabrics can quickly heat up to nearly 50 °C. This characteristic gives textiles important