Issue 4, 2024

Recent advances using MXenes in biomedical applications

Abstract

An MXene is a novel two-dimensional transition metal carbide or nitride, with a typical formula of Mn+1XnTx (M = transition metals, X = carbon or nitrogen, and T = functional groups). MXenes have found wide application in biomedicine and biosensing, owing to their high biocompatibility, abundant reactive surface groups, good conductivity, and photothermal properties. Applications include photo- and electrochemical sensors, energy storage, and electronics. This review will highlight recent applications of MXene and MXene-derived materials in drug delivery, tissue engineering, antimicrobial activity, and biosensors (optical and electrochemical). We further elaborate on recent developments in utilizing MXenes for photothermal cancer therapy, and we explore multimodal treatments, including the integration of chemotherapeutic agents or magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. The high surface area and reactivity of MXenes provide an interface to respond to the changes in the environment, allowing MXene-based drug carriers to respond to changes in pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and electrical signals for controlled release applications. Furthermore, the conductivity of MXene enables it to provide electrical stimulation for cultured cells and endows it with photocatalytic capabilities that can be used in antibiotic applications. Wearable and in situ sensors incorporating MXenes are also included. Major challenges and future development directions of MXenes in biomedical applications are also discussed. The remarkable properties of MXenes will undoubtedly lead to their increasing use in the applications discussed here, as well as many others.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances using MXenes in biomedical applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 Sept. 2023
Accepted
01 Dec. 2023
First published
01 Dec. 2023

Mater. Horiz., 2024,11, 876-902

Recent advances using MXenes in biomedical applications

I. Lee, Y. E. Li, J. L. Thomas, M. Lee and H. Lin, Mater. Horiz., 2024, 11, 876 DOI: 10.1039/D3MH01588B

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