Efficient Antibacterial Membrane based on Two-Dimensional Ti3C2Tx (MXene) Nanosheets

Abstract

Advanced membranes that enable ultrafast water flux while demonstrating anti-biofouling characteristics can facilitate sustainable water/wastewater treatment processes. MXenes, two-dimensional (2D) metal carbides and nitrides, have attracted attention for applications in water/wastewater treatment. In this work, we reported the antibacterial properties of micrometer-thick titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene membranes prepared by filtration on a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) support. The bactericidal properties of Ti3C2Tx modified membranes were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) by bacterial growth on the membrane surface and its exposure to bacterial suspensions. The antibacterial rate of fresh Ti3C2Tx MXene membranes reaches more than 73% against B. subtilis and 67% against E. coli as compared with that of control PVDF, while aged Ti3C2Tx membrane showed over 99% growth inhibition of both bacteria under same conditions. Flow cytometry showed about 70% population of dead and compromised cells after 24 h of exposure of both bacterial strains. The damage of the cell surfaces was also revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, respectively. The demonstrated antibacterial activity of MXene coated membranes against common waterborne bacteria, promotes their potential application as anti-biofouling membrane in water and wastewater treatment processes.

Insights into 2D MXenes for Versatile Biomedical Applications: Current Advances and Challenges Ahead

“…As another example, the antibacterial property of Ti 3 C 2 T x ‐modified membrane was investigated against E. coli and B. subtilis by bacterial growth on the membrane surface 59. The antibacterial rate of fresh Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene membranes reaches more than 67% against E. coli and 73% against B. subtilis as compared with that of control samples, while aged Ti 3 C 2 T x membrane exhibited more than 99% growth suppression of both bacteria species (Figure 10h).…”

“…To be specific, the derivatives of emerging research of 2D MXenes in nanomedicine could be categorized into therapeutic modality,45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52 diagnosis imaging,46, 47, 49, 51, 53 biosensing,54, 55, 56, 57 antimicrobial,58, 59 and biosafety evaluation 50. The bigger picture is that by gaining deeper insights into the material science and biological behavior of 2D MXene nanosheets for existing and emerging biomedical modalities, we will be able to facilitate immense and promising applications with clinical‐translation potential in benefitting the human health.…”

MXene‐Based Composites: Synthesis and Applications in Rechargeable Batteries and Supercapacitors

“…[106] The narrow bandgap of Ti 3 C 2 T x flakes indicates that Ti 3 C 2 T x flakes are semiconductors. [112] Apart from the properties mentioned above, MXenes show numerous attractive properties, such as adsorption, [111,113,114] ferromagnetism, [30,115] antibacterial activity, [116,117] thermoelectric property, [118] gas separation performance, [119] photothermalconversion capability, [120] etc. The conductivity of the Ti 3 C 2 T x flakes can reach as high as 6500 S cm −1 .…”

Solar‐Inspired Water Purification Based on Emerging 2D Materials: Status and Challenges

“…Though there are many types of MXenes, currently only Ti 3 C 2 T x has been certified to have antibacterial behavior. There are only a few reports about their antimicrobial activity recently and its affected factors are still indistinct.…”

“…Rasool et.al. studied the anti‐biofouling efficiency of super‐thin hydrophilic Ti 3 C 2 T x coatings on a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) substrate . Following these reports, Pandey et al designed Ti 3 C 2 T x membranes decorated with Ag NPs, which have the anti‐flocculation capacity for rapid water disinfection .…”