Advances in 2D MXenes-based materials for water purification and disinfection: Synthesis approaches and photocatalytic mechanistic pathways

MXenes two-dimensional materials have recently excited researchers' curiosity for various industrial applications. MXenes are promising materials for environmental remediation technologies to sense and mitigate various intractable hazardous pollutants from the atmosphere due to their inherent mechanical and physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, increased hydrophilicity, high conductivity, changing band gaps, and robust electrochemistry. This review discusses the versatile applications of MXenes and MXene-based nanocomposites in various environmental remediation processes. A brief description of synthetic procedures of MXenes nanocomposites and their different properties are highlighted. Afterward, the photocatalytic abilities of MXene-based nanocomposites for degrading organic pollutants, removal of heavy metals, and inactivation of microorganisms are discussed. In addition, the role of MXenes anti-corrosion support in the lifetime of some semiconductors was addressed. Current challenges and future perspectives toward the application of MXene materials for environmental remediation and energy production are summarized for plausible real-world use.

Automated summary

MXenes, as a type of two-dimensional materials, have shown great potential in various industrial applications. With their unique mechanical and physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, increased hydrophilicity, high conductivity, changing band gaps, and robust electrochemistry, MXenes are considered promising materials in environmental remediation technologies. This review focuses on the versatile applications of MXenes and MXene-based nanocomposites in various processes of environmental remediation. It also highlights the photocatalytic abilities of MXene-based nanocomposites for degrading organic pollutants, removing heavy metals, and inactivating microorganisms. Additionally, the role of MXenes as anti-corrosion support in the lifetime of semiconductors is discussed. The current challenges and future perspectives of using MXene materials for environmental remediation and energy production are summarized.