Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Photothermal Applications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have high specific surface area, ultrathin structure, and good optical properties, along with advantages such as high photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE), facile surface modification, and high photothermal stability. They are strong competitors of photothermal conversion agents (PTAs) and have been widely used in energy, catalysis, biomedicine, and other fields. In this paper, the structure and properties of more than a dozen common 2D photothermal materials are briefly introduced. Their applications in the fields of bacterial suppression, energy storage, desalination, sewage treatment, optical actuators, photothermal electrodes, electrostatic lithography, photothermal deicing, and wearable heaters are reviewed, offering valuable insights for the selection of 2D nanomaterials in the studies of photothermal applications. In addition, the challenges and prospects of 2D nanomaterials in photothermal applications are discussed.