Progressive Approach Toward MXenes Hydrogel

Abstract

Hydrogels are polymers that are three-dimensionally cross-linked and possess an impressive capacity to absorb large quantities of water or biofluids while maintaining their integrity. Hydrogels have unique properties that make them highly valuable in diverse industries, including food, packaging, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biomedical and bioengineering applications, manufacture of technical and electronic devices, and adsorbents for the removal of pollutants for environmental applications. In order to effectively improve the properties of hydrogels, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been introduced into their structure. Incorporating these nanomaterials not only increases the mechanical characteristics of hydrogels but also offers a wide range of versatile properties, such as electrical, thermal, optical, acoustic, magnetic, and more. Metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides (MXenes) are highly regarded among the available 2D nanomaterials due to their exceptional combination of metal conductivity, solubility, high dimensionality, and adjustable properties. Hydrogels incorporated with MXenes offer exciting and versatile properties such as hydrophilicity, metal conductivity, and wide adjustable properties. Moreover, hydrogels, an excellent and versatile platform, can significantly improve the stability of MXene nanosheets. With respect to hydrogel structures and gelation mechanisms, MXene-based hydrogel possesses amazing properties and has great potential for different applications such as energy storage, catalysis, tissue engineering, and so on. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.