MXenes, a family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have garnered significant attention across various scientific and technological fields since their first synthesis in 2011. Their unique properties, such as superior mechanical strength, flexibility, liquid-phase processability, tunable surface functionality, high electrical conductivity, and customizable properties, have led to extensive research and applications in energy storage, electronics, biomedicine, catalysis, and environmental technologies. This report focuses on the advancements in MXene-based chemo-sensor technologies, particularly strain, pressure, temperature, humidity, and gas sensors, and explores their potential future applications.
MXenes are characterized by the general formula Mn+1X1Tx, where M is a transition metal, X indicates C and/or N, and Tx denotes surface terminations. The synthesis of MXenes involves etching the "A" element from the MAX phase, typically using HF, though innovative methods like alkali etching, molten salt etching, and electrochemical etching have been developed to address environmental and health concerns.
MXenes are particularly promising for sensor design due to their ability to tune properties such as sensitivity and working area. For strain sensors, MXenes exhibit high sensitivity and can be integrated into flexible electronics, offering applications in human motion detection. Pressure sensors based on MXenes leverage their high conductivity, hydrophilicity, and tunable layer spacing to enhance sensitivity and responsiveness. Temperature sensors using MXenes benefit from their thermal expansion properties, while humidity sensors capitalize on their hydrophilic nature and tunable resistance due to water adsorption.
Gas sensors based on MXenes, especially those detecting NH3 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), show promise due to their high selectivity and sensitivity. Hybridization with other materials, such as metal oxides and polymers, further enhances the performance of MXene-based gas sensors. These advancements highlight the potential of MXenes in developing advanced and high-performance sensors for various applications, including wearable devices, environmental monitoring, and healthcare.MXenes, a family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have garnered significant attention across various scientific and technological fields since their first synthesis in 2011. Their unique properties, such as superior mechanical strength, flexibility, liquid-phase processability, tunable surface functionality, high electrical conductivity, and customizable properties, have led to extensive research and applications in energy storage, electronics, biomedicine, catalysis, and environmental technologies. This report focuses on the advancements in MXene-based chemo-sensor technologies, particularly strain, pressure, temperature, humidity, and gas sensors, and explores their potential future applications.
MXenes are characterized by the general formula Mn+1X1Tx, where M is a transition metal, X indicates C and/or N, and Tx denotes surface terminations. The synthesis of MXenes involves etching the "A" element from the MAX phase, typically using HF, though innovative methods like alkali etching, molten salt etching, and electrochemical etching have been developed to address environmental and health concerns.
MXenes are particularly promising for sensor design due to their ability to tune properties such as sensitivity and working area. For strain sensors, MXenes exhibit high sensitivity and can be integrated into flexible electronics, offering applications in human motion detection. Pressure sensors based on MXenes leverage their high conductivity, hydrophilicity, and tunable layer spacing to enhance sensitivity and responsiveness. Temperature sensors using MXenes benefit from their thermal expansion properties, while humidity sensors capitalize on their hydrophilic nature and tunable resistance due to water adsorption.
Gas sensors based on MXenes, especially those detecting NH3 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), show promise due to their high selectivity and sensitivity. Hybridization with other materials, such as metal oxides and polymers, further enhances the performance of MXene-based gas sensors. These advancements highlight the potential of MXenes in developing advanced and high-performance sensors for various applications, including wearable devices, environmental monitoring, and healthcare.