MXenes-Based Bioanalytical Sensors: Design, Characterization, and Applications.

Reem Khan,Silvana Andreescu

doi:10.3390/s20185434

Abstract

MXenes are recently developed 2D layered nanomaterials that provide unique capabilities for bioanalytical applications. These include high metallic conductivity, large surface area, hydrophilicity, high ion transport properties, low diffusion barrier, biocompatibility, and ease of surface functionalization. MXenes are composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides and have a general formula Mn+1Xn, where M is an early transition metal while X is carbon and/or nitrogen. Due to their unique features, MXenes have attracted significant attention in fields such as clean energy production, electronics, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and catalysis. Their composition and layered structure make MXenes attractive for biosensing applications. The high conductivity allows these materials to be used in the design of electrochemical biosensors and the multilayered configuration makes them an efficient immobilization matrix for the retention of activity of the immobilized biomolecules. These properties are applicable to many biosensing systems and applications. This review describes the progress made on the use and application of MXenes in the development of electrochemical and optical biosensors and highlights future needs and opportunities in this field. In particular, opportunities for developing wearable sensors and systems with integrated biomolecule recognition are highlighted.

Highlights

Since the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their high surface area, electrical conductivity, functionalized surfaces, and mechanical properties
For description of detailed synthesis methodologies, readers are referred to other literature, discussing the synthesis protocol of MXenes [5,6]
Recovery studies for the quantification of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum samples indicated promising results. Another MXene based CEA biosensor has been reported using a sandwich-type immunoassay format in which Ti3 C2 was first functionalized with amino silane (APTES) for covalent immobilization of monoclonal anti-CEA antibodies (Ab1 ) with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection

Summary

Introduction

Since the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have gained significant attention due to their high surface area, electrical conductivity, functionalized surfaces, and mechanical properties. For description of detailed synthesis methodologies, readers are referred to other literature, discussing the synthesis protocol of MXenes [5,6] Most applications of these materials to date are in energy conversion, catalysis, and electronics with emerging areas in structural, biomedical, and environmental fields [7,8,9]. SEM micrographs for (A) Ti3AlC2 MAX phases, (B) Ti3AlC2 after HF treatment, (C) Ti2AlC after HF (right) SEM micrographs for (A) Ti3 AlC2 MAX phases, (B) Ti3 AlC2 after HF treatment, (C) Ti2 AlC after treatment, (D) Ta4AlC3 after HF treatment, (E) TiNbAlC after HF treatment, and (F) Ti3AlCN after HF

Enzyme Sensors

Illustration

MXenes

MXene for Next Generation Wearable Biosensors

Conclusions and Future Prospects