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. 2024 Jul 3:12:1413253.
doi: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1413253. eCollection 2024.

Synthesis and characterization of chromium aluminum carbide MAX phases (CrxAlCx-1) for potential biomedical applications

Muhammad Shahbaz  1   2 , Nadeem Sabir  1 , Nasir Amin  1 , Zobia Zulfiqar  1 , Muhammad Zahid  3
Affiliations

Synthesis and characterization of chromium aluminum carbide MAX phases (CrxAlCx-1) for potential biomedical applications

Muhammad Shahbaz et al. Front Chem. .

Abstract

MAX phases, characterized as nanolaminates of ternary carbides/nitrides structure, possess a unique combination of ceramic and metallic properties, rendering them pivotal in materials research. In this study, chromium aluminum carbide ternary compounds, Cr2AlC (211), Cr3AlC2 (312), and Cr4AlC3 (413) were successfully synthesized with high purity using a facile and cost-effective sol-gel method. Structural, morphological, and chemical characterization of the synthesized phases was conducted to understand the effects of composition changes and explore potential applications. Comprehensive characterization techniques including XRD for crystalline structure elucidations, SEM for morphological analysis, EDX for chemical composition, Raman spectroscopy for elucidation of vibrational modes, XPS to analyze elemental composition and surface chemistry, and FTIR spectroscopy to ensure the functional groups analysis, were performed. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the high purity of the synthesized Cr2AlC phase as well as other ternary compounds Cr3AlC2 and Cr4AlC3, suggesting its suitability as a precursor for MXenes production. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and biocompatibility assessments against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and HepG2 cell line were investigated. The results demonstrated significant antifungal activity of the synthesized phases against Candida albicans and negligible impact on the viability of E. coli and S. aureus. Interestingly, lower concentrations of Cr2AlC MAX phase induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells by triggering intercellular oxidative stress, while Cr3AlC2 and Cr4AlC3 exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to Cr2AlC, highlighting their potential in biomedical applications.

Keywords: Candida albicans; HepG2; MAX phase; biomedical applications; metal carbide; sol-gel.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Schematic Diagram for the synthesis of Chromium Aluminum Carbide MAX Phases (CrxAlCx-1).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
FTIR Analysis of prepared samples of Cr2AlC, Cr3AlC2, and Cr4AlC3.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
(A) XPS analysis of prepared Cr2AlC, Cr3AlC2, and Cr4AlC3, (B) High resolution XPS spectra of Al 2p.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
High resolution XPS spectra of (A, B) Cr 2p&C 1s for Cr2AlC, (C,D) Cr 2p&C 1s for Cr3AlC2, and (E,F) Cr 2p&C 1s for Cr4AlC3.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
SEM-EDX analysis (A,B) Cr2AlC, (C,D) Cr3AlC2, and (E,F) Cr4AlC3.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
XRD analysis of prepared samples of (A) Cr2AlC, (B) Cr3AlC2, and (C) Cr4AlC3.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Raman spectra for (A,B) Cr2AlC, (C,D) Cr3AlC2, and (E,F) Cr4AlC3.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Schematic view of biomedical activity mechanism (antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer) Activity.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
(A) Antifungal activity of S1, S1*(Cr2AlC MAX phase), S2 (Cr3AlC2), and S3 (Cr4AlC3) for Candida albicans (B) for S. aureus, and (C) for E. coli.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
Anti-cancerous activity of Cr2AlC, Cr3AlC2, and Cr4AlC3 for HepG2 cell line (A) Absorbance, (B) %Viability and (C) % Inhibition.
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