Search Results (70)

Innovations in nanomaterial science, engineering and printing technologies have increasingly driven advances in electrochemical sensing. Screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) have become a versatile, low-cost, and scalable solution for developing portable electrochemical detection platforms. However, their analytical performance remains intrinsically limited by surface area, electron transfer efficiency, and the immobilization of biomolecules. Recent developments in nanostructured materials, ranging from two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, MXenes, and transition metal dichalcogenides, to one-dimensional nanostructures and hybrid nanocomposites, have transformed the signal transduction landscape of SPE-based electrochemical sensors. Integration of nanomaterials into SPEs has successfully transformed their analytical capabilities, but the diversity of materials and modification strategies has made it difficult to consolidate current knowledge in the field. Strategies that integrate nanomaterials via ink formulation, surface modification, or in situ growth have yielded sensors with unprecedented sensitivity, reproducibility, and selectivity across various chemical and biological targets. This review offers a cross-material synthesis of how nanomaterial engineering transforms the electrochemical performance of SPEs. By integrating insights across morphology, interfacial chemistry, and device-level behavior, it establishes a unified perspective that has been missing from the current literature and clarifies the design principles driving next-generation SPE-based sensing platforms. Full article

Functional nanocomposites have emerged as a transformative class of materials for advanced energy and electronic applications due to their ability to integrate multiple functionalities within engineered nanoscale architectures. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental principles governing nanocomposite behavior, including classification frameworks, commonly employed nanofillers, and critical structure–property relationships. Emphasis is placed on interfacial interactions, dispersion quality, percolation phenomena, and anisotropic effects that dictate electrical, thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical performance. State-of-the-art synthesis and fabrication strategies—ranging from solution-based and melt-processing techniques to vapor-phase deposition and additive manufacturing—are systematically examined in relation to microstructural control and scalability. The multifunctional properties of nanocomposites are critically evaluated, highlighting their relevance in energy storage systems, energy conversion technologies, flexible electronics, sensors, and electromagnetic interference shielding. Key challenges, including nanofiller agglomeration, interfacial compatibility, long-term stability, cost, and sustainability considerations, are discussed alongside emerging solutions. Finally, future perspectives focusing on next-generation nanofillers, AI-assisted materials design, and sustainable manufacturing pathways are outlined, providing a roadmap for the rational development and industrial translation of high-performance multifunctional nanocomposites. The scope of this review is deliberately focused on materials-level structure–process–property relationships in functional nanocomposites, rather than on detailed device-level electronic design or application-specific electromechanical implementations. Full article

MXene-based microwave absorbers have received extensive attention owing to their high electrical conductivity, abundant interfacial polarization sites, and tunable surface terminations. However, the structure–property relationship of MXene composites remains highly nonlinear, and the design of high-efficiency absorbers still relies heavily on trial-and-error experiments. Herein, multidimensional magnetic components, including zero-dimensional (0D) Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1D) Fe₃O₄/Co₃O₄ nanowires, and two-dimensional (2D) Fe₃O₄-based heterostructures, were rationally integrated with Fe/MXene and Fe/Co/MXene nanosheets to engineer synergistic dielectric and magnetic losses. Comprehensive electromagnetic characterization and loss mechanism analysis reveal that the structural dimensionality strongly impacts impedance matching and attenuation capability. To further enable predictive and data-driven optimization, a machine learning framework was established to correlate the microstructure, component ratio, thickness, and electromagnetic parameters with the microwave absorption performance (e.g., minimum reflection loss (RL_min), effective absorption bandwidth (EAB)). The optimized multidimensional composite achieves an RL_min of −56.4 dB at 10.2 GHz with an EAB of 8.4 GHz (9.6–18.0 GHz) at a thin matching thickness of 1.8 mm. The machine learning model demonstrates excellent accuracy (R² = 0.947) and enables the inverse design of absorber geometries to target specific operational frequencies. This work provides a generalizable paradigm for the intelligent design of MXene-based microwave absorbers and opens up broader opportunities for the AI-accelerated discovery of advanced electromagnetic functional materials. Full article

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/montmorillonite (MMT)/Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) nanocomposite membranes (PVA/MMT/MXene) were developed and evaluated in terms of their mechanical properties, mesoporosity, and adsorption performance toward Pb²⁺ ions and methylene blue (MB). The incorporation of MMT and MXene resulted in a strong synergistic reinforcement, increasing the ultimate tensile strength from 10 to 20 MPa, the Young’s modulus from 14.7 to 29.5 MPa, and reducing the swelling ratio from 2.0 to 1.1 g·g⁻¹. BJH porosimetry revealed a refined and interconnected mesoporous structure, with the cumulative pore volume increasing from 0.134 to 0.448 cm³·g⁻¹. In adsorption experiments (mono-solute systems, 25 °C), the ternary membrane achieved high uptake capacities of 55 mg·g⁻¹ for Pb²⁺ and 80 mg·g⁻¹ for MB, outperforming binary PVA/MMT and neat PVA. Statistical–physics modeling provided microscopic descriptors consistent with the experimental isotherms: Pb²⁺ adsorption follows a monolayer regime (n ≈ 1), whereas MB exhibits multilayer behavior (n > 1) with a higher site density (Nm ≈ 1.6 mmol·g⁻¹). These results demonstrate that the hybrid 2D–2D architecture of MMT and MXene significantly enhances the structural robustness, pore accessibility, and adsorption efficiency of PVA-based membranes, highlighting their potential for efficient removal of metal ions and dyes from aqueous media. Full article

Silicon (Si) has attracted extensive attention as a promising anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its ultra-high theoretical capacity, low lithiation potential, and economic advantages. However, drastic volume expansion during cycling and slow reaction kinetics severely compromise its structural stability and practical application. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) MXenes have been explored as effective functional components in Si-based electrodes because of their excellent electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, adjustable surface terminations, and mechanical robustness. When integrated with Si, MXenes serve as conductive matrices that alleviate volumetric stress, enhance charge transport, and accelerate electron/ion diffusion. Consequently, Si/MXene nanocomposites (NCs) exhibit significantly improved lithium (Li) storage performance. This review outlines recent advances in Si/MXene NCs, covering fabrication strategies, structural engineering, and various configurations, including particulate materials, three-dimensional (3D) architectures, films, and fibrous systems, and establishes the relationship between structural design and electrochemical behavior. Remaining challenges and prospective research directions are also discussed to guide the development of high-energy-density LIB anodes. Full article

The sustainable supply of freshwater resources is facing serious challenges due to the rapid industrial development, massive expansion of urbanization, and increasing environmental pollution. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination (SIED) is considered one of the most promising candidates to tackle water scarcity and energy crisis, owing to its sustainable solar energy, abundant water sources, and pollution-free characteristic. MXene has attracted considerable attention in the domain of purified water production, owing to its remarkable properties, including tunable hydrophilicity, ease of processing, resistance to fouling, mechanical strength, and photothermal conversion capabilities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the research progress of hydrogels/aerogels in the SIED field. Firstly, the synthesis strategy and the significantly distinctive features of MXene and its nanocomposites are outlined. Secondly, based on the photothermal conversion capacity and ease of modulation of MXene, various fabrication processes of MXene aerogels are analyzed, and the varying wettability levels of the MXene aerogel-based evaporators are discussed and summarized. Thirdly, the properties of MXene hydrogel-based evaporators are discussed from four perspectives: photothermal conversion capacity, water transport capacity, evaporation enthalpy regulation, and salt resistance. Finally, the challenges and issues related to the development of MXene hydrogels/aerogels in SIED are further discussed. Full article

The performance of a printed square split-ring resonator as a sensor for quantifying nanoparticle concentrations in PVDF-based nanocomposites was evaluated at UHF frequencies. The sensing mechanism was based on the frequency response of parameter S₂₁, observing the shift in the resonant frequency and a variation in S₂₁ level, while samples were placed on the ring split and compared to the sensor without a sample. Experiments with samples of PVDF-based nanocomposites combined with different concentrations of both MoS₂ and MXenes, ranging from 0.01% to 0.2%, were conducted. In general, considering both types of samples studied, it was observed that, as the concentration increases, S₂₁ (dB) increases from −6.35 to −6 dB. At the same time, the resonance frequency in the S₂₁ plot went from 500.4 to 498.25 MHz. Although the concentrations and their variations were relatively low, shifts in the resonance frequency of S₂₁ were evident, demonstrating the ability of the sensor to detect low concentrations and variations of MoS₂ and MXenes, being the detection of samples with higher concentrations feasible as future work, and concluding that the sensor had a relatively acceptable performance. In this study, MXenes were the concentrations that produced more noticeable shifts in the resonance frequency of S₂₁. Likewise, characterizations based on SEM and TEM were performed to corroborate the ones at UHF frequencies. Full article

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and strong broadband light absorption. However, their practical implementation is often limited by structural instability, such as restacking and surface oxidation. In this study, we propose a strategy for the design of hybrid nanocomposites based on exfoliated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene embedded within a porous silica (SiO₂) matrix and further functionalized with cerium dioxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles. The SiO₂ matrix, synthesized via a sol–gel approach, ensures homogeneous dispersion, increased porosity, and thermal stability, effectively reducing MXene restacking. Simultaneously, CeO₂ nanoparticles create surface oxygen vacancies and enhance interfacial reactivity. Comprehensive structural, morphological, surface, and optical characterizations confirm the formation of stable, light-responsive nanoarchitectures with tailored textural properties. Furthermore, the obtained material exhibit promising photothermal-catalytic properties. This work offers a materials-oriented approach for engineering multifunctional MXene-based architectures with enhanced photothermal performance, exemplified by their potential application in the photothermo-catalytic CO₂ conversion into solar fuels, showcasing the broader possibilities enabled by these materials. Full article

Enzymatic electrochemical sensors are promising for real-time glucose monitoring due to their high sensitivity and continuous detection capability. In this work, a magnetic Fe₃O₄@MXene nanocomposite was synthesized hydrothermally. The introduction of Fe₃O₄ not only reduced MXene’s inherent negative surface charge, improving interaction with glucose oxidase (GOD), but also formed a porous structure that enhances enzyme immobilization via physical adsorption. Based on these properties, a Fe₃O₄@MXene/GOD/Nafion/GCE electrode was fabricated. The composite’s high specific surface area, excellent conductivity, and good biocompatibility significantly promoted the direct electron transfer (DET) of GOD. Meanwhile, the apparent electron transfer rate constant (k_s) was calculated to be 9.57 s⁻¹, representing a 1.26-fold enhancement over the MXene-based electrode (7.57 s⁻¹) and confirming faster electron transfer kinetics. The sensor showed a bilinear glucose response in the ranges of 0.05–15 mM, with sensitivity of 120.47 μA·mM⁻¹·cm⁻² and a detection limit of 38 μM. It also exhibited excellent selectivity, reproducibility and stability. Satisfactory recovery rates were achieved in artificial serum samples while demonstrating comparable detection performance to commercial blood glucose meters. Full article

MXenes, a new family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides and nitrides, have attracted significant interest in biomedicine because of their tunable surface groups and multifunctional properties. Hydrogels, with their three-dimensional polymeric networks rich in water, provide excellent biocompatibility and structural similarity to those of biological tissues. Although synthetic polymer–based MXene hydrogels are well studied, polysaccharide-based systems remain underexplored despite their biodegradability and biomedical relevance. In this work, MXene nanosheets were incorporated into a sodium alginate (ALG)–gellan gum (GG) polymeric blend to develop polysaccharide/MXene hydrogels. Two dehydration approaches, conventional drying and freeze-drying were used to evaluate their influence on the characteristics of the composite, including microstructure, surface roughness, compressive behavior, water states, and thermal stability. Conventionally dried polysaccharide/MXene nanocomposites with 1.0% wt. MXene have reduced the swelling ratio by ~60% and the volume change by 40% compared to polysaccharide blend. Freeze-dried polysaccharide/MXene nanocomposite hydrogels developed a porous, interconnected network, making them promising for applications requiring high surface area, such as adsorption and tissue engineering. In contrast, conventionally dried samples formed compact, smooth structures with improved barrier and mechanical performance. These results demonstrate that the dehydration strategy strongly governs the polymer network architecture, water states, and material functionality, offering pathways to tailor hydrogel modified with MXene for specific biomedical applications. Full article

Owing to high electrical conductivity, layered structure, and abundant surface functional groups, transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) have received enormous interest in the field of gas sensors at room temperature. In this work, we synthesize a heterostructured nanocomposite with indium oxide (In₂O₃) decorated on titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x) nanosheets by electrostatic self-assembly and develop it for high-selectivity NO₂ gas sensing at room temperature. Self-assembly formation of multiple heterojunctions in the In₂O₃/Ti₃C₂T_x composite provide abundant NO₂ gas adsorption sites and high electron transfer activity, which is conducive to improving the gas-sensing response of the In₂O₃/Ti₃C₂T_x gas sensor. Assisted by rich adsorption sites and hetero interface, the as-fabricated In₂O₃/Ti₃C₂T_x gas sensor exhibits the highest response to NO₂ among various interference gases. Meanwhile, a detection limit of 0.3 ppm, and response/recovery time (197.62/93.84 s) is displayed at room temperature. Finally, a NO₂ sensing mechanism of In₂O₃/Ti₃C₂T_x gas sensor is constructed based on PN heterojunction enhancement and molecular adsorption. This work not only expands the gas-sensing application of MXenes, but also demonstrates an avenue for the rational design and construction of NO₂-sensing materials. Full article

Diuron (DU) is a widely used phenylurea herbicide designed to inhibit weed growth, but its high toxicity and prolonged half-life contribute significantly to environmental contamination. The majority of electrochemical (EC) sensors typically rely on a single response signal for the detection of DU, rendering them highly susceptible to interference from variable background noise in complex environments, thereby reducing the selectivity and robustness. By integrating molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with a ratiometric strategy, the aforementioned issues could be solved. In this study, a novel signal on-off ratiometric MIP-EC sensor was developed based on the MXene/PEI-MWCNTs nanocomposite for the detection of DU. Positively charged PEI-MWCNTs was used as an interlayer spacer and embedded into negatively charged MXene by a simple electrostatic self-assembly method. This effectively prevented the agglomeration of MXene and enhanced its electrocatalytic performance. The MIP was synthesized via electropolymerization with DU serving as the template molecule and the selectivity was enhanced by leveraging the gate effect of MIP. Subsequently, a ratiometric MIP-EC sensor was designed by introducing [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− into the electrolyte solution as an internal reference. Additionally, the current ratio signal (I_DU/I_[Fe(CN)6]^3−/4−) and DU concentration exhibited a good linear relationship within the range of 0.1 to 100 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 30 nM (S/N = 3). In comparison with conventional single-signal MIP-EC sensing, the developed ratiometric MIP-EC sensing demonstrates superior reproducibility and accuracy. At the same time, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of DU residues in soil samples, yielding highly satisfactory results. Full article

MXenes are a class of two-dimensional materials exhibiting excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. Currently, the SERS studies of MXenes have been primarily focused on those with M₂X and M₃X₂ structural motifs. In order to expand the SERS sensing application based on MXenes, in this paper, a SERS sensor made of Ta₄C₃@AgNP nanocomposite material was fabricated by electrostatic self-assembly. Tests such as different concentrations of R6G probe molecules showed that the minimum detection limit of this SERS sensor was 10⁻⁸ M, demonstrating excellent sensitivity. When different test areas are selected, the relative error of intensity under the same wave number is less than 10.7%, showing good repeatability and consistency. Furthermore, the Ta₄C₃@AgNP nanocomposite SERS sensor was used to detect the pesticide Ziram, and a quantitative model was established. Application detection indicates that this sensor has good sensitivity for the pesticide Ziram, and the minimum detection limit was 10⁻⁶ M, which exceeded national standard requirements. The findings of this study have potential application value in the fields of food safety and environmental protection. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), formed by the self-assembly of metal ions/clusters and organic linkers, have attracted considerable attention due to their well-exposed active sites, exceptionally high porosity, and diversified pore architectures. MOF-derived materials obtained through high-temperature pyrolysis or composite structural design not only inherit the porous framework advantages of their precursors but also demonstrate significantly enhanced electrical conductivity and structural stability via the formation of carbon-based frameworks and in situ transformation of metallic species. However, conventional MOF-derived materials struggle to address persistent technical challenges in contemporary energy storage systems, particularly those requiring ultralong cycling stability and ultrahigh-rate capability under practical operating conditions. The integration of MXene, characterized by its abundant surface functional groups (-O, -OH, -F) and exceptional electrical conductivity, with MOF-derived materials presents a viable strategy to address these challenges. Multidimensional nanocomposites constructed through in situ growth and self-assembly techniques synergistically integrate MXene’s conductive network scaffolding effect with the structural tunability of MOF-derived frameworks. This unique architecture enables the following: (i) enhanced exposure of electroactive sites, (ii) optimized ion diffusion kinetics, (iii) mechanical integrity maintenance, collectively boosting the applicability of MXene/MOF hybrids in advanced energy storage systems. This review summarizes the synthesis methods, energy storage performance, and applications of multidimensional nanostructured MXene/MOF-derived composites. Finally, it discusses the opportunities and challenges for MXene/MOF-derived composites in future energy storage applications. Full article

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides, have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials for interdisciplinary applications due to their unique physiochemical properties. The large surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, superior mechanical properties, and abundant possible functional groups make this layered nanomaterial an ideal candidate for multifunctional hybrid materials for electronic applications. This review highlights recent progress in MXene-based hybrid materials, focusing on their electrical, dielectric, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties, with an emphasis on the development of multifunctionality required for advanced electronic devices. The review explores the multifunctional nature of MXene-based polymer nanocomposites and hybrid materials, covering the coexistence of a diverse range of properties, including sensory capabilities, electromagnetic interference shielding, energy storage, and the Joule heating phenomenon. Finally, the future outlook and key challenges are summarized, offering insights to guide future research aimed at improving the performance and functionality of MXene–polymer nanocomposites. Full article