The role of Ti3C2Tx MXene in hydrogel engineering for structural organization and ROS scavenging in bacterial models†

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-modified hydrogels offer a unique platform for exploring the interplay between nanomaterials, hydrogel structures, and biological interactions. In this study, we synthesized and characterized 2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanoflakes and integrated them into hydrogel matrices to investigate their impact on structural organization, crosslinking, and interactions with bacterial models. The incorporation of MXenes stabilized the architecture of the hydrogel, particularly in alginate-based matrices lacking chitosan, leading to more organized crosslinking and uniform pore distribution. Chitosan facilitated better MXene nanoflakes dispersion but had a limited effect on structural improvements. Contrary to initial expectations, MXenes did not enhance antibacterial properties. Instead, MXenes exhibited ROS scavenging activity, contributing to increased bacterial viability in both E. coli and S. aureus models. Notably, alginate/chitosan/elastine hydrogels supported up to 144% viability of E. coli after 72 h, highlighting the role of hydrogel structure and redox modulation in microbial interactions. These findings position Ti₃C₂T_x MXene as structural and ROS-modulating components in hydrogel matrices. While these effects were studied in bacterial models, they underscore the material's potential in applications where oxidative stress regulation is relevant, warranting further investigation in mammalian systems.