Versatile Ti3C2Tx MXene for free-radical scavenging

MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional (2D) material with ultrathin structure and fascinating physiochemical properties, has been widely explored in broad applications. Versatile functions of MXenes are continuously explored. This work presents distinctive feature of MXene-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets for free-radical (FRs) scavenging that never reported before. We demonstrated the mechanism and equation in regard to the reaction between Ti3C2Tx and H2O2, which was applied to design colorimetric H2O2 strip assay with good performance. The good FRs scavenging capability of Ti3C2Tx, including a series of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), was systemically confirmed. The antioxidation capability of Ti3C2Tx for protecting cells from oxidative damage was demonstrated using the oxidative damage model of alpha mouse liver 12 (AML-12) cells. This original work provides huge opportunities for MXenes in FR-related biomedical applications.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated the unique feature of MXene-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets in free-radical scavenging and designed a colorimetric H2O2 strip assay with good performance. The research systematically confirmed the scavenging capability of Ti3C2Tx for a series of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, as well as its antioxidation capability in protecting cells from oxidative damage. This original work provides significant opportunities for MXenes in free-radical-related biomedical applications.