MXenes are a class of two-dimensional (2D) nanostructured materials with the general formula Mn+1XnTx, where M is a transition metal, X is a carbon and/or nitrogen atom, and T is a functional group, such as O, F, OH, or Cl. MXenes have the capacity to be mixed with a variety of polymers, thereby imparting certain properties to the polymer [1]. For instance, MXenes can enhance the barrier properties of plastics, suggesting a potential application as gas barrier films. Additionally, MXenes can improve flexibility, toughness, and tensile and compressive strengths. Furthermore, MXenes have been shown to possess antimicrobial and anti-fogging properties [2]. These properties render them promising materials for use in food packaging.
The present study is focused on patent retrieval information regarding MXenes/polymer composites employed in the domain of food packaging.
A patent search was conducted on Espacenet, the EPO’s free patent database, using precise keywords in the title, abstract, and claims search fields, as well as a set of classification symbols, such as C08K 3/14 (use of carbides as compounding ingredients), C01B 32/921 (titanium carbide), and C08K 2201/011 (nanostructured additives).
After reading the full text of the patents/patent applications, we narrowed our initial 43 results down to 38.
Approximately 80% of patent priority filings were submitted in 2022. China is the most prolific country, with 34 results, but only one Chinese application was extended at the international level as a PCT application. The other four PCT applications were derived from two EP applications, one U.S. provisional, and one application from the Czech Republic.
In most cases, Ti3C2Tx is claimed. However, in one patent application (CN115651245A), [3] Ta4C3Tx is mixed with chitosan and N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide to create a chitosan-based film coating solution.
The most frequently used film matrices are cellulose, chitosan [4], polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, M.B.; methodology, M.B. and D.G.; data curation, M.B.; writing—original draft preparation, M.B.; writing—review and editing, D.G.; supervision, D.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement
Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement
The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
- Kherzelou, A.; Sani, M.A.; Rhim, J.W. MXenes as the next frontier: Innovative applications in food packaging. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2025, 160, 105021. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Scilit]
- Yu, Y.; Zheng, J.; Li, J.; Lu, L.; Yan, J.; Zhang, L.; Wang, L. Applications of two-dimensional materials in food packaging. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2021, 110, 443–457. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Scilit]
- Wu, Z.; Hua, Z.; Yutong, X.; Xiaoqiang, Q.; Jing, J. Long-Acting Antibacterial Polysaccharide-Based Composite Film for Food Packaging as Well as Preparation Method and Application of Long-Acting Antibacterial Polysaccharide-Based Composite Film. Chinese Patent CN115651245A, 31 January 2023. Available online: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/084993756/publication/CN115651245A?q=CN115651245A (accessed on 5 February 2026).
- Barbieri, M. Chitosan for Food Packaging Applications: A Patent Landscape Analysis. Proceedings 2024, 103, 43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Scilit]
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).