Themed collection MXene chemistries in biology, medicine and sensing

Maksym Pogorielov, Açelya Yilmazer, Lucia Gemma Delogu and Yury Gogotsi introduce the cross-journal themed issue collection on MXene chemistries in biology, medicine and sensing, published in Nanoscale and Nanoscale Advances.

This review emphasizes the groundbreaking potential of MXene-based microrobots in developing targeted drug delivery and synergistic therapeutic approaches.

Recent advancements in science and technology have significantly enhanced public health by integrating novel materials and early diagnostic methods.

Schematic representation of the multifaceted applications of MXenes in biomedical fields. This figure was Created with Biorender.com.

MXenes, a rapidly emerging class of two-dimensional materials, have demonstrated exceptional versatility and functionality across various domains, including microbiology and virology.

Schematic representation of MXene based gas sensors: including synthesis, materials design, application and challenges.

Optimization strategy of MXene scale preparation.

This work reviews the surface modification strategies and biomedical applications of MXene, discusses the challenges, trends and prospects of MXenes nanomaterials, which provides information for enhancing the clinical translation of nanomedicine.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MXenes are promising as targeted sensing agents in advanced functional materials. MXenes are more suitable for biosensing applications due to their versatility and compatibility with aquatic environments.

Used in hydrogels, patches, and smart bandages MXenes enhance antibacterial activity, promote tissue regeneration, and enable real-time monitoring, improving wound care and patient outcomes.

A bioactive Ti₃C₂T_x dressing offers a tissue engineering approach to repress inflammation and oxidative stress, improving wound closure rates for chronic wound repair.

A cost-effective, ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor using V₂CT_x MXene is developed for real-time, point-of-care HER-2 breast cancer detection, offering high sensitivity, selectivity, and suitability for resource-limited settings.

This study explores the environmental stability of MXenes, revealing the formation of higher hydrocarbons and carbon oxides. It highlights methane dominance under reducing conditions and carbon oxide production under oxidative environments.

The study investigates the structural design of Ti₃C₂T_x PVA composites in hydrogel, aerogel, and film forms, showing that EMI shielding and mechanical properties are influenced by the composite's structural configuration and Ti₃C₂T_x areal density.

MXene-based structures have gained tremendous attention in energy storage applications, especially in ion batteries due to their promising electrical conductivity and high energy storage properties.

Representation of low cost MXene based electrochemical sensor for lead detection.

Bright yellow fluorescent nitrogen-doped MXene quantum dots were synthesized and employed to detect As³⁺ and MBTZ via fluorescence “on/off/on” phenomenon.

Schematic illustration of (A) the fabrication steps of the Mo₂Ti₂C₃T_x MXene-based immunosensor and (B) its application in the electrochemical detection of the RSV antigen.

Sensing of hazardous gases has an important role in ensuring safety in a variety of industries as well as environments.

This research involved synthesizing a novel UIO-66-NH₂@Ti₃C₂ composite through a one-step hydrothermal process, followed by calcination at 300 °C under argon and exploring its potential for the electrochemical detection of acetaminophen.

The convergence of nanotechnology and tissue engineering has paved the way for innovative cancer treatments that leverage the unique light absorption properties of nanomaterials.

Introducing Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets and garlic extract into a porous gellan gum scaffold could promote the hydrophilicity rate, mechanical strength, and antibacterial activity, providing a favorable structure for the growth and attachment of MG63 cells.

A highly sensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor using a Ti₃C₂T_x/MWCNT-OH nanocomposite detects paraoxon-ethyl in fruit with high selectivity, a 0.1–100 μM range, and a 10 nM LOD, offering a sustainable alternative for pesticide monitoring.

Cr₂TiC₂T_x MXene was used as an adsorbent for the trace determination of heavy metals in food samples, with LOD values of 0.09 and 1.9 ng mL⁻¹, and dynamic ranges of 0.3–90 and 6–120 μg L⁻¹ for cadmium and lead ions, respectively.