Logo image
Back
MXene Chemistries for Biomedicine: On-Body, In-Body, and Beyond
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

MXene Chemistries for Biomedicine: On-Body, In-Body, and Beyond

Damla Alkaya, Roberta Cagliani, Gokce Yagmur Summak, Linda Giro, Omur Besbinar, Maha Alhosani, Maksym Pogorielov, Mehak Gupta, Sanjiv Dhingra, Marco Orecchioni, …
ACS nano, v 20(35), pp 24189-24232
24 Aug 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c05051
url
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c05051View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

MXenes two-dimensional materials bioelectronics regenerative medicine cancer nanotherapy biosensing immunomodulation sustainable nanomaterials
MXenes, a rapidly expanding family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have gained considerable attention as highly versatile nanomaterials for biomedical applications owing to their high electrical conductivity, chemically tunable surfaces, mixed ionic–electronic transport, and controllable redox activity. This review provides a structured overview of MXene-based biomedical technologies, organized by their functional interaction with the human body. We first examine on-body applications, highlighting MXene-enabled wearable, epidermal, and implantable bioelectronics. We then discuss in-body applications, including regenerative medicine, advanced cancer therapies, and antimicrobial strategies, emphasizing how MXene chemistry regulates biological interactions and therapeutic performance. Finally, we address applications outside the body, such as biosensing and diagnostic platforms, where MXenes enhance sensitivity, signal transduction, and imaging capabilities. Beyond summarizing recent advances, this review critically analyzes current gaps in knowledge, including long-term biocompatibility, degradation pathways, immune interactions, and structure–activity relationships, which currently limit clinical translation. We conclude by outlining key future directions, including sustainable synthesis, oxidation-resistant and fluorine-free MXenes, and the integration of artificial intelligence to accelerate materials discovery and application-specific design. Together, these insights position MXenes as chemistry-programmable nanoplatforms with strong potential to bridge on-body, in-body, and outside-the-body biomedical technologies.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Logo image