Recent Advances in MXene-Based Electrochemical Sensors

Abstract

MXene is a new family of two-dimensional nanomaterials with outstanding electrical conductivity, tunable structure, biocompatibility, and a large surface area. Thanks to these unique physicochemical properties, MXene has been used for constructing electrochemical sensors (MECSens) with excellent performance. In particular, the abundant surface termination of MXene can contribute to greatly enhancing the analytical sensitivity and selectivity of MECSens. Recently, MECSens have been widely applied in many fields including clinical diagnosis, infectious disease surveillance, and food security. However, not all MXene materials are suitable for building electrochemical sensors. In this article, we present an overview of different MECSens that have been developed so far. We begin with a short summary of the preparation and characterization of MECSens. Subsequently, the electrochemical performance, detection strategies, and application scenarios of MECSens are classified and briefly discussed. The article ends with a short conclusion and future perspectives. We hope this article will be helpful for designing and constructing MECSens with outstanding activity for electrochemical analysis.

Keywords: MXene; application scenarios; electrochemical performance; electrochemical sensor; two-dimensional nanomaterial.

Scheme 1

The major topics discussed in this review article.

Figure 1

The MAX phases and MXene materials.

Figure 2

Different methods for synthesizing MXene materials: (a) F-containing etching method; (b) Electrochemically etching method; (c) Alkali etching method.

Figure 3

The methods used for preparing MECSens: (a) dip-coating method; (b) printing method.

Figure 4

The enzymatic glucose ECSens (a) and nonenzymatic glucose MECSen (b). Reproduced from Ref. [109], with the permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2024.

Figure 5

Sensing mechanisms of non-enzymatic DA (a), AA (b), and UA (c) MECSens. Reproduced from Ref. [135], with the permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2023. Reproduced from Ref. [140], with the permission from Wiley, Copyright 2018.

Figure 6

(a) The microscopic morphology and schematic illustration of TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ MXene nanocomposite. Reproduced from Ref. [145], with the permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2015. (b) The chronoamperometric current response and linear range obtained with TiO₂-Ti₃C₂ MXene nanocomposite-modified GCE. (c) Schematic diagram of preparing MECSen for the detection of H₂O₂ Reproduced from Ref. [147], with the permission from American Society of Chemistry, Copyright 2023. (d) Schematic illustration of the MECSens for detecting H₂O₂ released from cells. Reproduced from Ref. [144], with the permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2020.

Figure 7

Electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions by ECSens.