Mxenes as a versatile nanoplatform: Synthesis and emerging biomedical applications

Abstract

Recently, MXenes have garnered significant attention in academic research due to their remarkable structural, electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, and chemical properties. New advancements and emerging findings indicate that MXene, classified as a two-dimensional (2D) layered material, exhibits significantly more potential in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology compared to existing nanosystems. These applications include acting as antibacterial agents, biosensor systems, the delivery and loading of drugs, bioimaging, and therapeutic interventions. The unique characteristics of MXenes, such as their significant electrical conductivity, large surface area, low toxicity, magnetism, luminescence, and high biocompatibility, make them highly promising candidates for diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Surface modifications of MXenes exhibit biocompatibility and have multifunctional functions, including the ability to direct ligands towards specific spots for preferential aggregation, hence enabling their utilization in specialized applications. This paper provides an overview of the characteristics, modifications, and synthesis methods of MXene nanomaterials. The present article also delivers a comprehensive assessment of the practical uses of MXene-based nanomaterials in biomedicine, with a particular focus on biosensing, bioimaging, antibacterial effects, implants, and multifunctional therapeutic platforms. This paper also presents a discussion of the future prospects and challenges associated with the applications of MXenes in the biomedicine field.