Roles of MXenes in biomedical applications: recent developments and prospects

Abstract

Abstract....With the development of nanomedical technology, the application of various novel nanomaterials in the biomedical field has been greatly developed in recent years. MXenes, which are new inorganic nanomaterials with ultrathin atomic thickness, consist of layered transition metal carbides and nitrides or carbonitrides and have the general structural formula Mn+1XnTx (n = 1–3). Based on the unique structural features of MXenes, such as ultrathin atomic thickness and high specific surface area, and their excellent physicochemical properties, such as high photothermal conversion efficiency and antibacterial properties, MXenes have been widely applied in the biomedical field. This review systematically summarizes the application of MXene-based materials in biomedicine. The first section is a brief summary of their synthesis methods and surface modification strategies, which is followed by a focused overview and analysis of MXenes applications in biosensors, diagnosis, therapy, antibacterial agents, and implants, among other areas. We also review two popular research areas: wearable devices and immunotherapy. Finally, the difficulties and research progress in the clinical translation of MXene-based materials in biomedical applications are briefly discussed. Graphical Abstract

Role of MXenes in advancing soft robotics

“…In this context, the surface functionalization or modification of MXenes can be tailored to enhance their biocompatibility. 97,126,127…”

Thermally Conductive MXene

“…Different termination groups, including −OH, −F, or − O, can be introduced during the etching process or modified through postsynthesis treatments. 23 These terminations affect the electronic structure and surface charge of MXenes and offer functional groups for subsequent chemical modifications and bioconjugation. By functionalizing MXene surfaces with specific molecules or biomolecules, tailored biosensing platforms can be developed, yielding enhanced selectivity and sensitivity.…”

M5X4: A Family of MXenes

“…T x represents the surface termination groups (typically −OH, �O, and −F) 3 and will not be continually expressed for clarity. MXenes have attracted significant attention due to their coupled high volumetric capacitance 4 and high electronic conductivity, 5 biocompatibility, 6 electrochromic behavior, 7 and optical absorption peaks in the UV−NIR range; 8 this has led to their use in applications including electrochemical energy storage, 9 biomedicine, 10 optoelectronics, 11 and many others. 12,13 MXenes are commonly synthesized through selective chemical etching from precursor MAX phases, which have the general formula M n+1 AX n , where the A layer is composed of group 13/14 elements (typically, Al for MXene synthesis).…”

“…T x represents the surface termination groups (typically −OH, O, and −F) and will not be continually expressed for clarity. MXenes have attracted significant attention due to their coupled high volumetric capacitance and high electronic conductivity, biocompatibility, electrochromic behavior, and optical absorption peaks in the UV–NIR range; this has led to their use in applications including electrochemical energy storage, biomedicine, optoelectronics, and many others. , …”