A cost-effective approach to synthesize NiFe2O4/MXene heterostructures for enhanced photodegradation performance and anti-bacterial activity

Research Progress on Ti3C2Tx-Based Composite Materials in Antibacterial Field

The integration of two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and other materials offers broader application options in the antibacterial field. Ti3C2Tx-based composites demonstrate synergistic physical, chemical, and photodynamic antibacterial activity. In this review, we aim to explore the potential of Ti3C2Tx-based composites in the fabrication of an antibiotic-free antibacterial agent with a focus on their systematic classification, manufacturing technology, and application potential. We investigate various components of Ti3C2Tx-based composites, such as metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, organic frameworks, photosensitizers, etc. We also summarize the fabrication techniques used for preparing Ti3C2Tx-based composites, including solution mixing, chemical synthesis, layer-by-layer self-assembly, electrostatic assembly, and three-dimensional (3D) printing. The most recent developments in antibacterial application are also thoroughly discussed, with special attention to the medical, water treatment, food preservation, flexible textile, and industrial sectors. Ultimately, the future directions and opportunities are delineated, underscoring the focus of further research, such as elucidating microscopic mechanisms, achieving a balance between biocompatibility and antibacterial efficiency, and investigating effective, eco-friendly synthesis techniques combined with intelligent technology. A survey of the literature provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art developments in Ti3C2Tx-based composites and their potential applications in various fields. This comprehensive review covers the variety, preparation methods, and applications of Ti3C2Tx-based composites, drawing upon a total of 171 English-language references. Notably, 155 of these references are from the past five years, indicating significant recent progress and interest in this research area.

Revolutionizing Infection Control: Harnessing MXene-Based Nanostructures for Versatile Antimicrobial Strategies and Healthcare Advancements

The escalating global health challenge posed by infections prompts the exploration of innovative solutions utilizing MXene-based nanostructures. Societally, the need for effective antimicrobial strategies is crucial for public health, while scientifically, MXenes present promising properties for therapeutic applications, necessitating scalable production and comprehensive characterization techniques. Here we review the versatile physicochemical properties of MXene materials for combatting microbial threats and their various synthesis methods, including etching and top-down or bottom-up techniques. Crucial characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, FTIR, XPS, and BET analysis provide insightful structural and functional attributes. The review highlights MXenes' diverse antimicrobial mechanisms, spanning membrane disruption and oxidative stress induction, demonstrating efficacy against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Despite translational hurdles, MXene-based nanostructures offer broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential, with applications in drug delivery and diagnostics, presenting a promising path for advancing infection control in global healthcare.

Enhancement of MXene optical properties towards medical applications via metal oxide incorporation

MXenes have garnered research attention in the field of biomedical applications due to their unique properties, such as a large surface area, low toxicity, biocompatibility, and stability. Their optical behavior makes them versatile for a wide range of biomedical applications, from diagnostics to therapeutics. Nonetheless, MXenes have some minor limitations, including issues with restacking, susceptibility to oxidation, and a non-semiconducting nature. These limitations have prompted researchers to explore the incorporation of metal oxides into MXene structures. Metal oxides possess advantageous properties such as a high surface area, biocompatibility, intriguing redox behavior, catalytic activity, semiconducting properties, and enhanced stability. Incorporating metal oxides into MXenes can significantly improve their conductivity, surface area, and mechanical strength. In this review, we emphasize the importance of incorporating metal oxides into MXenes for light-influenced biomedical applications. We also provide insights into various preparation methods for incorporating metal oxides into MXene structures. Furthermore, we discuss how the incorporation of metal oxides enhances the optical behavior of MXenes. Finally, we offer a glimpse into the future potential of metal oxide-incorporated MXenes for diverse biomedical applications.

Multifunctional MXene-Based Bioactive Materials for Integrated Regeneration Therapy

The reconstruction engineering of tissue defects accompanied by major diseases including cancer, infection, and inflammation is one of the important challenges in clinical medicine. The development of innovative tissue engineering strategies such as multifunctional bioactive materials presents a great potential to overcome the challenge of disease-impaired tissue regeneration. As the major representative of two-dimensional nanomaterials, MXenes have shown multifunctional physicochemical properties and have been diffusely studied as multimodal nanoplatforms in the field of biomedicine. This review summarized the recent advances in the multifunctional properties of MXenes and integrated regeneration-therapy applications of MXene-based biomaterials, including tissue regeneration-tumor therapy, tissue regeneration-infection therapy, and tissue regeneration-inflammation therapy. MXenes have been recognized as good candidates for promoting tissue regeneration and treating diseases through photothermal therapy, regulating cell behavior, and drug and gene delivery. The current challenges and future perspectives of MXene-based biomaterials in integrated regeneration-therapy are also discussed well in this review. In summary, MXene-based biomaterials have shown promising potential for integrated tissue regeneration and disease treatment due to their favorable physicochemical properties and bioactive functions. However, there are still many obstacles and challenges that must be addressed for the regeneration-therapy applications of MXene-based biomaterials, including understanding the bioactive mechanism, ensuring long-term biosafety, and improving their targeting therapy capacity.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel magnetic chitosan-nickel ferrite nanocomposite for antibacterial and antioxidant properties

A novel nanomagnet modified with nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) coated with hybrid chitosan (Cs-NiFe2O4) was synthesized using the co-precipitation method. The resulting nanomagnets were characterized using various techniques. The size of the nanomagnetic particles was estimated to be about 40 nm based on the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) pattern (using the Debye-Scherrer equation). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the surface of Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs is flatter and smoother than the uncoated NiFe2O4 NPs. According to value stream mapping (VSM) analysis, the magnetization value of Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs (17.34 emu/g) was significantly lower than NiFe2O4 NPs (40.67 emu/g). The Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs indicated higher antibacterial properties than NiFe2O4 NPs and Cs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs against S. aureus and E. coli were 128 and 256 mg/mL, respectively. Antioxidant activity (evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging test) for NiFe2O4 NPs and Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs at the concentration of 100 µg/mL were 35% and 42%, respectively. Consequently, the synthesized Cs-NiFe2O4 NPs can be proposed as a viable material for biomedical applications.

Recent advancements in MXene-based nanocomposites as photocatalysts for hazardous pollutant degradation - A review

The recent expeditious industrialization and urbanization showcase the increasing need for renewable and non-renewable energy and the severe environmental crisis. In this regard, numerous 2-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been developed as a facile approach to meet the futuristic energy essentials and to resolve the crisis. In contrast, the newly explored 2D MXenes (transition metal carbide/nitrides/carbonitride) have been employed as an intriguing material for various environmental applications. This development is accredited to their unique properties, which include a vast surface area, strong electrical conductivity, fascinating photophysical properties, high mechanical properties, stability in an aqueous medium, high hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, and excellent thermal properties. MXenes act as a potential candidate in water desalination, energy storage devices such as electrodes of Li-ion batteries and pseudo capacitors, hydrogen production, sensors, and wastewater treatment. This review article deliberates the synthesis of MXene and nanocomposites of MXene and their photo-catalytic actions against various toxic pollutants such as organic dyes and heavy metals in wastewater. This review also precises the various preparation methods of MXene-based photocatalyst and the enhanced photocatalytic activity of MXene and MXene-based nanocomposites in wastewater treatment. Also, it details the attempts made to improve the photocatalytic activity of MXene-based nanocomposites in terms of their structural compositions. In addition, the merits and demerits of the MXene-based photocatalysts are deliberated, which may pave the way for future research in this arena.

Hybrid nanostructures exhibiting both photocatalytic and antibacterial activity-a review

The most vital issues of the modern world for a sustainable future are "health" and "the environment." Scientific endeavors to tackle these two major concerns for mankind need serious attention. The photocatalytic activity toward curbing environmental pollution and antibacterial performance toward a healthy society are two directions that have been emphasized for decades. Recently, materials engineering, in their nanodimension, has shown tremendous possibilities to integrate these functionalities within the same materials. In particular, hybrid nanostructures have shown magnificent prospects to combat both crucial challenges. Many researchers are separately engaged in this important field of research but the collective knowledge on this domain which can facilitate them to excel is badly missing. The present article integrates the development of different hybrid nanostructures which exhibit both photocatalytic degradations of environmental pollutants and antibacterial efficiency. Various synthesis techniques of those hybrid nanomaterials have been discussed. Hybrid nanosystems based on several successful materials have been categorically discussed for better insight into the research advancement in this direction. In particular, Ag-based, metal oxides-based, layered carbon material-based, and Mexene- and self-cleaning-based materials have been chosen for detailing their performance as anti-pollutant and antibacterial materials. Those hybrid systems along with some miscellaneous booming nanostructured materials have been discussed comprehensively with their success and limitations toward their bifunctionality as antipollutant and antibacterial agents.

New insights into MXene applications for sustainable environmental remediation

Multiple ecological contaminants in gaseous, liquid, and solid forms are vented into ecosystems due to the huge growth of industrialization, which is today at the forefront of worldwide attention. High-efficiency removal of these environmental pollutants is a must because of the potential harm to public health and biodiversity. The alarming concern has led to the synthesis of improved nanomaterials for removing pollutants. A path to innovative methods for identifying and preventing several obnoxious, hazardous contaminants from entering the environment is grabbing attention. Various applications in diverse industries are seen as a potential directions for researchers. MXene is a new, excellent, and advanced material that has received greater importance related to the environmental application. Due to its unique physicochemical and mechanical properties, high specific surface area, physiological compatibility, strong electrodynamics, and raised specific surface area wettability, its applications are growing. This review paper examines the most recent methods and trends for environmental pollutant removal using advanced 2D Mxene materials. In addition, the history and the development of MXene synthesis were elaborated. Furthermore, an extreme summary of various environmental pollutants removal has been discussed, and the future challenges along with their future perspectives have been illustrated.

Advances in 2D MXenes-based materials for water purification and disinfection: Synthesis approaches and photocatalytic mechanistic pathways

MXenes two-dimensional materials have recently excited researchers' curiosity for various industrial applications. MXenes are promising materials for environmental remediation technologies to sense and mitigate various intractable hazardous pollutants from the atmosphere due to their inherent mechanical and physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, increased hydrophilicity, high conductivity, changing band gaps, and robust electrochemistry. This review discusses the versatile applications of MXenes and MXene-based nanocomposites in various environmental remediation processes. A brief description of synthetic procedures of MXenes nanocomposites and their different properties are highlighted. Afterward, the photocatalytic abilities of MXene-based nanocomposites for degrading organic pollutants, removal of heavy metals, and inactivation of microorganisms are discussed. In addition, the role of MXenes anti-corrosion support in the lifetime of some semiconductors was addressed. Current challenges and future perspectives toward the application of MXene materials for environmental remediation and energy production are summarized for plausible real-world use.

MXene Enhanced Photoactivity of Bi2O3/Bi2S3 Heterojunction with G-wire Superstructure for Photoelectrochemical Detection of TET1 Protein

Ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) protein has the potential to accelerate the oxygenation of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC); then the -CH₂OH of 5hmC can further covalently react with -SH catalyzed by M.HhaI methyltransferase. A brand-new photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection technique for the TET1 protein was created in light of this. For this objective, the Bi₂O₃/Bi₂S₃ heterojunction was first prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method and served for photosensitive materials. For further enhancing the photoactivity, Bi₂O₃/Bi₂S₃ was blended with MXene to form an energy band-matched structure, thus improving the migration kinetics of photogenerated carriers. For achieving a high sensitivity of detection, a DNA Walker incorporated with the nicking endonuclease (Nb.BbvCI enzyme)-assisted signal amplification strategy was presented to output exponential G-quadruplex fragments. Self-assembly of the free G-quadruplex sequence into a G-wire superstructure with the assistance of Mg²⁺ provided more loading sites for MB and amplified the PEC signal. The linear range of the biosensor was 0.1-10 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.024 μg/mL (S/N = 3) for TET1 protein under optimal experimental conditions. The suitability of the proposed method was evaluated by inhibitor screening experiments and the influence of environmental degradation on the activity of TET1 protein.

MXene/Ferrite Magnetic Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Supercapacitor Applications

MXene has been identified as a new emerging material for various applications including energy storage, electronics, and bio-related due to its wider physicochemical characteristics. Further the formation of hybrid composites of MXene with other materials makes them interesting to utilize in multifunctional applications. The selection of magnetic nanomaterials for the formation of nanocomposite with MXene would be interesting for the utilization of magnetic characteristics along with MXene. However, the selection of the magnetic nanomaterials is important, as the magnetic characteristics of the ferrites vary with the stoichiometric composition of metal ions, particle shape and size. The selection of the electrolyte is also important for electrochemical energy storage applications, as the electrolyte could influence the electrochemical performance. Further, the external magnetic field also could influence the electrochemical performance. This review briefly discusses the synthesis method of MXene, and ferrite magnetic nanoparticles and their composite formation. We also discussed the recent progress made on the MXene/ferrite nanocomposite for potential applications in electrochemical supercapacitor applications. The possibility of magnetic field-assisted supercapacitor applications with electrolyte and electrode materials are discussed.

A Review on MXene Synthesis, Stability, and Photocatalytic Applications

Photocatalytic water splitting, CO₂ reduction, and pollutant degradation have emerged as promising strategies to remedy the existing environmental and energy crises. However, grafting of expensive and less abundant noble-metal cocatalysts on photocatalyst materials is a mandatory practice to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performance owing to the ability of the cocatalysts to extract electrons efficiently from the photocatalyst and enable rapid/enhanced catalytic reaction. Hence, developing highly efficient, inexpensive, and noble-metal-free cocatalysts composed of earth-abundant elements is considered as a noteworthy step toward considering photocatalysis as a more economical strategy. Recently, MXenes (two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have shown huge potential as alternatives for noble-metal cocatalysts. MXenes have several excellent properties, including atomically thin 2D morphology, metallic electrical conductivity, hydrophilic surface, and high specific surface area. In addition, they exhibit Gibbs free energy of intermediate H atom adsorption as close to zero and less than that of a commercial Pt-based cocatalyst, a Fermi level position above the H₂ generation potential, and an excellent ability to capture and activate CO₂ molecules. Therefore, there is a growing interest in MXene-based photocatalyst materials for various photocatalytic events. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the synthesis of MXenes with 2D and 0D morphologies, the stability of MXenes, and MXene-based photocatalysts for H₂ evolution, CO₂ reduction, and pollutant degradation. The existing challenges and the possible future directions to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MXene-based photocatalysts are also discussed.

Investigation of the effect of antibiotics on 5-formylcytosine content in mazie seedling tissues based on photoelectrochemical biosensor

Given the improved photoactivity of Bi₂S₃ by MXene, an article photoelectrochemical biosensor was designed for 5-formyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5fdCTP) detection, where Bi₂S₃: MXene was selected as photoactive material, polydopamine was used as solid electron donor and 5fdCTP capture reagent, calcined ZIF-8(C-ZIF-8) was chosen as the artificial enzyme. With the catalyzed by C-ZIF-8, 4-chloro-1-naphthol was allegro oxidized by H₂O₂ to form the insoluble benzo-4-chlorohexadienone, and then deposited on the surface of the electrode, Resulting in a decrease of the PEC response. Under the optimum conditions, the sensor has a linear range of 0.001-200 nM and a detection limit of 0.51 pM (3σ). The suitability of the developed method was appraised by investigating the effect of antibiotics on 5fdCTP content in the genomic DNA of the roots of maize seedlings. As a new detection platform, the application of this approach can be expanded to investigative the impact of other pollutants on the content of 5fdCTP in plant or animal tissues, explore the feasibility of 5fdCTP as a new indicator for the ecotoxicological effect of pollutants, and the photoelectrochemical method as a new assessment technique for the ecotoxicological effects of pollutants.

NIR-triggered photocatalytic and photothermal performance for sterilization based on copper sulfide nanoparticles anchored on Ti3C2Tx MXene

Harmful bacterial flourish with the increase in environmental pollution and pose a great threat to human health. Thus, developing new and efficient antibacterial materials is imperative to reduce the pollution caused by traditional sterilization materials and improve sterilization efficiency. In this study, a new photocatalytic antibacterial material was developed to achieve an efficient antibacterial effect. Ti₃C₂T_x@CuS composites were synthesized by simple hydrothermal method, by which copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles were anchored on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x to sharply improve the photocatalytic its antibacterial ability. Ti₃C₂T_x@CuS exhibits excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with bactericidal rates of 99.6% and 99.1%, respectively. Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), decay time PL, photocurrent test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and finite element method showed that the formation of Ti₃C₂T_x@CuS heterojunction promoted the separation of electrons and holes, improved the electron transport efficiency, and elevated the generation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, Ti₃C₂T_x@CuS has a stronger photothermal effect and causes more heat release than CuS to improve antibacterial performance. The Ti₃C₂T_x@CuS heterojunction has a broad application prospect in the disinfection and antibacterial fields.