Stability of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene Films and Devices under Clinical Sterilization Processes

MXenes are being heavily investigated in biomedical research, with applications ranging from regenerative medicine to bioelectronics. To enable the adoption and integration of MXenes into therapeutic platforms and devices, however, their stability under standard sterilization procedures must be established. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of the electrical, chemical, structural, and mechanical effects of common thermal (autoclave) and chemical (ethylene oxide (EtO) and H₂O₂ gas plasma) sterilization protocols on both thin-film Ti₃C₂T_x MXene microelectrodes and mesoscale arrays made from Ti₃C₂T_x-infused cellulose-elastomer composites. We also evaluate the effectiveness of the sterilization processes in eliminating all pathogens from the Ti₃C₂T_x films and composites. Post-sterilization analysis revealed that autoclave and EtO did not alter the DC conductivity, electrochemical impedance, surface morphology, or crystallographic structure of Ti₃C₂T_x and were both effective at eliminating E. coli from both types of Ti₃C₂T_x-based devices. On the other end, exposure to H₂O₂ gas plasma sterilization for 45 min induced severe degradation of the structure and properties of Ti₃C₂T_x films and composites. The stability of the Ti₃C₂T_x after EtO and autoclave sterilization and the complete removal of pathogens establish the viability of both sterilization processes for Ti₃C₂T_x-based technologies.