MXene-based hybrid nanostructures for sensing application: Fundamental and state-of-art

Abstract

MXenes have emerged as a cutting-edge class of materials with exceptional sensing capabilities, positioning them at the forefront of sensing technology. They exhibit remarkable properties that enable them to be used as sensing materials. These two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides, derived from layered MAX phases which was itself a very large family making MXenes even larger family. MXenes have emerged as state-of-the-art sensing materials due to their unique combination of properties, including high surface area, high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface chemistry, excellent electrical conductivity, high optical transmittivity, mechanical flexibility, and electrochemical activity which enables efficient interactions with analytes. The abundant Tx on the MXene surface, such as -OH, -O, and -F terminations, enhances the material's sensitivity to detect a wide range of analytes including gases, biomolecules, and heavy metals. These MXene-based sensors offer a limit of detection up to 10-12 or lower concentration levels and high selectivity for their target analytes is very high even in the many interfering analytes in the sample. These sensors can be tuned according to the need. In this chapter, we have highlighted about sensing applications of MXene-based hybrid nanostructures. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.