Recent advances in MXene-based self-powered electrochemical sensors

Abstract

Self-powered electrochemical sensors (SPECSs) offer a transformative alternative by integrating energy harvesting directly with analyte detection, enabling autonomous operation without external power sources. This review focuses on the merits of employing MXenes in the construction and performance of SPECSs by evaluating how MXenes are employed as active components and how they enhance the performance of various SPECS platforms. We broadly classified MXene-based SPECSs as enzymatic biofuel cell-based sensors, microbial- and biophotoelectrochemical-based sensors, and other SPECSs. The key attributes of MXenes, including high conductivity and tunable surface chemistry, are ideal for immobilizing active species in the SPECS. The significant capacitance and catalytic potential of MXenes are explored towards enhancing charge transport in SPECSs. This enables robust interfaces, facilitating signal amplification, and forming advanced functional composites within these self-powered devices. By utilizing these unique properties of MXenes, the development of highly sensitive, stable, and potentially miniaturized autonomous sensors is becoming increasingly feasible, paving the way for next-generation sensing solutions.