Latest advances on MXenes in biomedical research and health care

Abstract

The unique combination of physical and chemical properties of MXenes has propelled a growing number of applications in biomedicine and healthcare. The expanding library of MXenes with tunable properties is paving the way for high-performance, application-specific MXene-based sensing and therapeutic platforms. In this article, we highlight the emerging biomedical applications of MXenes with specific emphasis on bioelectronics, biosensors, tissue engineering, and therapeutics. We present examples of MXenes and their composites enabling novel technological platforms and therapeutic strategies, and elucidate potential avenues for further developments. Finally, we discuss the materials, manufacturing, and regulatory challenges that need to be synergistically addressed for the clinical translation of MXene-based biomedical technologies. Graphical abstract

Role of MXenes in advancing soft robotics

“…102 Despite several studies being performed on the biocompatibility and toxicity of MXenes and their composites, further systematic study is needed to deeply understand the biological effects of MXenes. 103…”

“…102 Despite several studies being performed on the biocompatibility and toxicity of MXenes and their composites, further systematic study is needed to deeply understand the biological effects of MXenes. 103 The self-healing properties in next-generation wearable electronics and soft intelligent robotics can be achieved through utilizing MXenes because of their unique structural properties, such as high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and hydrophilicity. [104][105][106][107] The self-healing behavior in MXenes is primarily attributed to their high hydrophilicity and electrochemical reactivity.…”

Two-dimensional MXenes

“…9 In this issue, Garg and Vitale discuss the latest advances in MXene biomedical and healthcare research, specifically in tissue engineering, bioelectronics, therapeutics, immunotherapy, and blood purification. 59 Overall, MXenes' ease of processability (e.g., in electrode manufacturing), high metallic conductivity, high surface area, tunable surfaces that can be functionalized with different species, the capability of being intercalated by different ions and molecules, and antimicrobial properties make them candidates for different biomedical applications. The biocompatibility of MXenes is also established by different research groups at the cell, tissue, organ, and whole-body levels.…”

Several Fundamental Aspects of MXene: Synthesis and Their Applications

“…[6] Till date varieties of MXene based composites have been reported. [7][8][9] The MXene materials have prominent uses in water purification, [10] energy storage, [11] supercapacitor, [12] medicinal Chemistry [13] etc. MXenes stand out in the two dimensional world because they have a unique collection of qualities and characteristics that make them appealing for a wide range of applications such as electronics as well as opto-electronics, catalysis, also photonics.…”