Environmental significance of wearable sensors based on MXene and graphene

Conductive layered materials such as MXenes (e.g., transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides), graphene and their derivatives have attracted tremendous research interests in diverse fields of research for their unique structured merits and outstanding physical and chemical properties. Benefitting from their unique layered structures and fascinating multifunctional characteristic, MXenes and graphene serve as vital components in a variety of wearable devices. Especially, due to their large surface area and high electrocatalytic activity, these materials have also demonstrated great promise in biophysical and biochemical sensing systems. Following an introduction into the field, we summarize the recent progress in wearable sensors that can be accomplished by using layered materials, with a specific focus on kinematic, mechanical, thermal, pressure and strain sensors. A further large section underscores the recent progress in MXenes and graphene based wearable biochemical sensors including electrolyte monitoring, glucose monitoring, micro/mcromolecular organics metabolite, volatile gases monitoring and humidity sensors. The next section covers the sensing of small biomolecules serving as biomarkers, which are of great significance for early diagnosis and treatment of a spectrum of diseases. This review underscores the recent progress in wearable sensors to be used in different physiological and environmental signals. Finally, the review concludes with a debate on current challenges being faced and future perspectives.     

气敏新材料MXenes在呼出气体传感器中的应用

电子鼻结合人工智能对呼出气进行检测、分析和识别已成为非侵入性医疗检测领域的研究热点.然而,目前已报道的气体传感材料尚不能同时满足高灵敏度、高选择性和稳定的室温检测,阻碍了气体传感器在医疗健康领域的应用及发展,寻找合适的传感材料具有重要的意义和挑战.新型二维层状纳米材料MXenes具有种类多、比表面积大、导电性能强、表面...     

Ti3C2Tx MXene compounds for electrochemical energy storage

Since their discovery in 2011, MXene compounds, and in particular the Ti₃C₂-based phases, have gained increasing interest from researchers leading to over 2000 scientific works in 2020. The peculiar morphological, charge transport, and surface properties make the MXenes ideal materials for energy storage applications such as active material in alkaline ion batteries and supercapacitors, as conductive or buffer agent in composite electrodes for high energy applications, and as electrocatalytic materials for oxygen evolution or redox flow batteries. Among this almost endless literature, this work focuses on 5 recent articles (2019/2020) that summarize the potential of MXenes in different energy storage applications, also resuming the most promising preparatory routes regarding industrial scalability.     

基于MXenes的功能纤维的制备及其在智能可穿戴领域的应用

在电子信息和物联网技术的推动下,人类对可穿戴电子器件和智能织物的需求愈发突出,功能纤维作为智能可穿戴设备的重要载体,近年来获得快速发展。功能纤维的性能很大程度上取决于纤维的基础构筑单元。过渡金属碳/氮化物(MXenes)作为一种新兴的二维材料,凭借其高电导率、优异的可加工性能、可调节的表面特性以及出色的机械强度等优点,受到了极大的关注,也逐渐成为构筑功能纤维的重要单元。本文将主要综述MXenes的湿化学、熔融盐、无氟试剂刻蚀等方法和力学、电学、光学和化学稳定性等性能,阐述基于该材料制备的功能纤维在传感、储能以及其他智能领域的应用,最后讨论了基于MXenes材料的功能纤维的未来应用前景和技术挑战。     

Interlayer Space Engineering of MXenes for Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications

The increasing demand for high-performance rechargeable energy storage systems has stimulated the exploration of advanced electrode materials. MXenes are a class of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic transition metal carbides/nitrides, which are promising candidates in electrodes. The layered structure facilitates ion insertion/extraction, which offers promising electrochemical characteristics for electrochemical energy storage. However, the low capacity accompanied by sluggish electrochemical kinetics of electrodes as well as interlayer restacking and collapse significantly impede their practical applications. Recently, interlayer space engineering of MXenes by different chemical strategies have been widely investigated in designing functional materials for various applications. In this review, an overview of the most recent progress of 2D MXenes engineering by intercalation, surface modification as well as heterostructures design is provided. Moreover, some critical challenges in future research on MXene-based electrodes have been also proposed.     

Current progresses in two-dimensional MXene-based framework: prospects from superficial synthesis to energy conversion and storage applications

MXenes are regarded as a type of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic material, mainly comprising a number of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides atomic planes. Nevertheless, the scientific community is continuously interested in exploring and structuring the engineered-based multifunctional material for numerous applications. The MXenes-based materials in this context, have emerged as highly active compounds owing to their superior surface area, substantial interlayer spacing, highly reactive surface-active sites and surface functional group, even though, recent studies have shown significant scientific and theoretical progress related to enormous prospects in MXenes, chemical nature, robust electrochemistry and high hydrophilicity of MXenes. The role of MXenes in all kinds of strategies is still in an upgrading phase for their further improvement, and is not sufficiently summarized in the literature now. To begin with this, herein, present review article is intended to critically discuss the diversity of MXenes with respect to different composition, formulation, plasmonic, complexation, and numerous geometric and morphological aspects, along with novel construction strategies to improve their surface characteristics in all aforesaid multidimensional applications. Following that, in terms of broadening the application, this review article is envisaged to endorse the use of MXenes and their hybrid configuration in a series of emerging environmental decontamination via adsorption, photodegradation, photocatalytic fuel production via hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, electrocatalytic sensing, along with membrane distillation and energy storage. In addition, comprehensive information about existing obstacles and future perspectives have been addressed. Finally, an overview is succinctly summarized and discussed regarding the emerging prospects of MXenes for their potential uses in numerous research fields. At the end, it is anticipated that this review article will pave the way for the effective use of MXenes in different fields of environmental remediation, energy conversion, storage and biomedical applications as an innovative, reliable, and multifunctional material.     

MXenes在水系锌离子电池中的应用研究进展

水系锌离子电池(AZIBs)作为一种低成本、高安全的新兴且前景广阔的储能技术近年来备受关注。新型MXenes材料由于其独特的结构特征和物理化学性质,如易调节的二维结构、优异的导电性、化学组成多样和可控的表面化学特性,在AZIBs中表现出独特的应用优势。本文全面综述近年来MXenes在AZIBs中应用的研究进展,探讨MXenes应用于AZIBs正负极的结构设计及性能优化策略：在正极方面,MXenes可直接作为活性物质或活性物质前驱体、基体材料,以获得高活性、优异的循环寿命和倍率性能;在负极方面,MXenes可作为锌沉积的二维/三维载体、亲锌基体及锌金属界面保护层,以减缓电化学反应过程中锌金属的腐蚀和枝晶生长。此外,本文也对MXenes基材料在AZIBs中应用的发展方向进行展望。     

A review on recent advances in hierarchically porous metal and metal oxide nanostructures as electrode materials for supercapacitors and non-enzymatic glucose sensors

The remarkable significance of electrode materials in industrial processes, energy, sustainability and diabetes monitoring has captivated scientists to develop advance nanomaterials for the benefit of life across the globe. Here in, the recent developments in nanostructured porous metal and metal oxide composite materials for supercapacitor applications and non-enzymatic glucose sensors (NEGS) has been extensively discussed. The essential and active electrode materials from the research and application perspective has been emphasized in detail. We have also evaluated the worthiness, taxonomical classification, efficiency, specific capacitance and sensitivity of these materials for the aforementioned potential applications. Eventually, we concluded the review by providing the aspect ratio, surface morphology, particle size and specific surface area of these materials that plays an indispensable role for their promising potential applications.     

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensor for Wearable Interstitial Fluid Glucose Monitoring

We report on a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for wearable glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid. The sensor exhibited acceptable selectivity and reliability for continuous glucose detection for up to 30 days. The sensor tip is coated with polyurethane, and the biocompatibility of the tip is investigated by tissue staining. A fully integrated wearable glucose monitoring system is developed with a wireless connection with a smartphone. The test results are in agreement with reference methods. So, we believe the sensor is promising for the development of a continuous glucose monitoring system and diabetes management.     

Fluorescence sensors for monosaccharides based on the 6-methylquinolinium nucleus and boronic acid moiety: potential application to ophthalmic diagnostics

Continuous monitoring of glucose levels in human physiology is important for the long-term management of diabetes. New signaling methods/probes may provide an improved technology to monitor glucose and other physiologically important analytes. The glucose sensing probes, BMQBAs, fabricated using the 6-methylquinolinium moiety as a fluorescent indicator, and boronic acid as a chelating group, may have versatile applications in glucose sensing because of their unique properties. In this paper we discuss the design logic, synthesis, characterization and spectral properties of three new isomeric glucose sensors (BMQBAs), and a control compound (BMQ) in the presence and absence of sugars. The sensing ability of the new probes is based on a charge neutralization and stabilization mechanism upon sugar binding. The new probes have attractive fluorescence quantum yields, are highly water-soluble, and have spectral characteristics compatible with cheap and portable LEDs and LDs. One of the probes, o-BMQBA, has a sugar bound pK_a of 6.1, and a dissociation constant K_D of 100 mM glucose. These probes have been designed specifically to respond to tear glucose in a contact lens polymer for ophthalmic glucose monitoring, where the reduced sugar bound pK_a affords for sensing, in a lens environment that we have previously shown to be mildly acidic.     

Electrochemical biosensors based on Ti3C2Tx MXene: future perspectives for on-site analysis

MXenes are recently developed two-dimensional layered materials composed of early transition metal carbides and/or nitrides that provide unique characteristics for biosensor applications. This review presents the recent progress made on the usage and applications of MXenes in the field of electrochemical biosensors, including microfluidic biosensors and wearable microfluidic biosensors, and highlights the challenges with possible solutions and future needs. The multilayered configuration and high conductivity make these materials as an immobilization matrix for the biomolecule immobilization with activity retention and to be explored in the fabrication of electrochemical sensors, respectively. First, how the MXene nanocomposite as an electrode modifier affects the sensing performance of the electrochemical biosensors based on enzymes, aptamer/DNA, and immunoassays is well described. Second, recent developments in MXene nanocomposites as wearable biosensing platforms for the biomolecule detection are highlighted. This review pointed out the future concerns and directions for the use of MXene nanocomposites to fabricate advanced electrochemical biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. Specifically, possibilities for developing microfluidic electrochemical sensors and wearable electrochemical microfluidic sensors with integrated biomolecule detection are emphasized.     

Surface engineering of one-dimensional tin oxide nanostructures for chemical sensors

Nanostructured materials are promising candidates for chemical sensors due to their fascinating physicochemical properties. Among various candidates, tin oxide (SnO₂) has been widely explored in gas sensing elements due to its excellent chemical stability, low cost, ease of fabrication and remarkable reproducibility. We are presenting an overview on recent investigations on 1-dimensional (1D) SnO₂ nanostructures for chemical sensing. In particular, we focus on the performance of devices based on surface engineered SnO₂ nanostructures, and on aspects of morphology, size, and functionality. The synthesis and sensing mechanism of highly selective, sensitive and stable 1D nanostructures for use in chemical sensing are discussed first. This is followed by a discussion of the relationship between the surface properties of the SnO₂ layer and the sensor performance from a thermodynamic point of view. Then, the opportunities and recent progress of chemical sensors fabricated from 1D SnO₂ heterogeneous nanostructures are discussed. Finally, we summarize current challenges in terms of improving the performance of chemical (gas) sensors using such nanostructures and suggest potential applications. Contains 101 references.

2020 roadmap on two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion

Energy storage and conversion have attained significant interest owing to its important applications that reduce CO₂ emission through employing green energy. Some promising technologies are included metal-air batteries, metal-sulfur batteries, metal-ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors, etc. Here, metal elements are involved with lithium, sodium, and magnesium. For these devices, electrode materials are of importance to obtain high performance. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a large kind of layered structured materials with promising future as energy storage materials, which include graphene, black phosporus, MXenes, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), 2D oxides, 2D chalcogenides, and others. Great progress has been achieved to go ahead for 2D materials in energy storage and conversion. More researchers will join in this research field. Under the background, it has motivated us to contribute with a roadmap on ‘two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion.     

Au nanoparticles grafted on Fe3O4 as effective SERS substrates for label-free detection of the 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Several methods and materials have been explored for the sensitive and practicable detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, it is still a challenge to develop simple and cost-effective sensing techniques for PAHs. Herein we report the synthesis and construction of Fe₃O₄@Au SERS substrate. This magnetic substrate was composed by Fe₃O₄ microspheres and Au NPs. The size, morphology, and surface composition of Fe₃O₄@Au were characterized by multiple complimentary techniques including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The spatial distributions of electro-magnetic field enhancement around Fe₃O₄@Au was calculated using finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. As a result of its remarkable sensitivity, the Fe₃O₄@Au-based SERS assay has been applied to detect the 16 EPA priority PAHs. The LODs achieved by our method (100–5 nM, 16.6–1.01 μg L⁻¹) make it promising for the rapid screening of highly contaminated cases. As a proof-of-concept study, the substrate was applied in SERS sensing of PAHs in river matrix. The 16 PAHs could be differentiated based upon their characteristic SERS peaks. Most importantly, the detection was successfully conducted using a portable Raman spectrometer, which could be used for on-site monitoring of PAHs.     

Recent Advances in Noble‐Metal‐Free Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia under Ambient Conditions

Ammonia is an essential chemical for producing fertilizers and energy carriers. However, the industrial Haber–Bosch process causes huge CO₂ emissions and energy waste. As a promising alternative for Haber‐Bosch process, electrochemical synthesis of ammonia has drawn much attention. Catalysts, as a vital part of electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), have developed rapidly in recent years. Compared to noble‐metal catalysts, noble‐metal‐free catalysts possess a low‐cost advantage. In this review, noble‐metal‐free catalysts, including metal‐based materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), MXenes, and metal‐free materials, are summarized. In addition, effective design strategies are discussed, along with the main problems and some potential directions of noble‐metal‐free NRR catalysts.     

Controlled Release of Insulin Based on Temperature and Glucose Dual Responsive Biomicrocapsules

The treatment of diabetes lies in developing novel functional carriers, which are expected to have the unique capability of monitoring blood glucose levels continuously and dispensing insulin correctly and timely. Hence, this study is proposing to create a smart self-regulated insulin delivery system according to changes in glucose concentration. Temperature and glucose dual responsive copolymer microcapsules bearing N-isopropylacrylamide and 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid as main components were developed by bottom-spray coating technology and template method. The insulinoma β-TC6 cells were trapped in the copolymer microcapsules by use of temperature sensitivity, and then growth, proliferation, and glucose-responsive insulin secretion of microencapsulated cells were successively monitored. The copolymer microcapsules showed favorable structural stability and good biocompatibility against β-TC6 cells. Compared with free cells, the biomicrocapsules presented a more effective and safer glucose-dependent insulin release behavior. The bioactivity of secreted and released insulin did not differ between free and encapsulated β-TC6 cells. The results demonstrated that the copolymer microcapsules had a positive effect on real-time sensing of glucose and precise controlled release of insulin. The intelligent drug delivery system is supposed to mimic insulin secretion in a physiological manner, and further provide new perspectives and technical support for the development of artificial pancreas.     

MXene-based composite electrodes for efficient electrochemical sensing of glucose by non-enzymatic method

A recently discovered 2D transition titanium metal carbides also called as MXenes (Ti₃C₂T_x)-based nanocomposite was prepared with Cu₂O through wet precipitation technique, and these materials were further developed as the electrode for sensing glucose by chronoamperometry technique. The prepared MXene-Cu₂O (Ti₃C₂T_x-Cu₂O) nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, FE-SEM, EDAX, and Raman spectroscopy. Morphological studies of the composites revealed that the micro-octahedral shape of Cu₂O is distributed on the surface of MXene with size larger than bare Cu₂O. Further, the prepared composite material was fabricated as a sensing probe, and the electrochemical activities were examined by cyclic voltammetric analysis (CV) and chronoamperometric (CA) methods. From the CV and CA investigation, the current response was higher for the composite than the bare material (Cu₂O & MXene) in the presence of glucose. The amperometric investigation of MXene-Cu₂O composite for the detection of glucose shows a broad linear range (0.01–30 mM) with a sensitivity of 11.061/μAmM cm^?2 and a detection limit of 2.83 μM. Further, the fabricated sensor exhibits good selectivity with interfering species like NaCl, fructose, sucrose, urea, ascorbic acid, lactose, short response time, stability, good reproducibility, and compatibility with human serum sample. From the investigation, the prepared MXene-Cu₂O composite is a good candidate for the direct detection of glucose molecules and is also well suitable for clinical diagnosis.     

MXene fibers for electronic textiles: Progress and perspectives

The rapid evolution of portable and wearable electronic devices has fueled the development of smart functional textiles that are able to conduct electricity, sense body movements, or store energy. One main challenge inhibiting the further development of functional textile-based electronics is the lack of robust functional fibers with suitable electrical, electrochemical and sensing functionalities. MXenes, an emerging family of two-dimensional(2D) materials, have shown to be promising candidates...     

The potential of MXene materials as a component in the catalyst layer for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

MXenes are a class of 2D/layered materials which are highly conductive, hydrophilic, have a large electrochemical surface area and are easily processible into electrodes for energy applications. Since the discovery of MXenes over ten years ago, these materials have been mainly used in the preparation of electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors. However, due to their aforementioned properties, MXenes could potentially be utilised as a component in the catalyst layer for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). This opinion piece will discuss some of the recent literature in the area of hybrid catalysts consisting of various Transition Metal Oxides (TMOs) and MXenes for the OER. We will also discuss current drawbacks and future outlook in this new area of research.     

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) for Cancer Therapeutics

As newly emerged crystalline porous materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possess fascinating structures and some specific features such as modularity, crystallinity, porosity, stability, versatility, and biocompatibility. Besides adsorption/separation, sensing, catalysis, and energy applications, COFs have recently shown a promise in biomedical applications. This contribution provides an overview of the recent developments of COF-based medicines in cancer therapeutics, including drug delivery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and combined therapy. Furthermore, the major challenges and developing trends in this field are also discussed. These recent developments are summarized and discussed to help encourage further contributions in this emerging and promising field.