MXene/biomacromolecule composites: structures, properties, fabrication and applications.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Composite Materials

Background:

• MXene/biomacromolecule composites integrate MXenes' electrical and photothermal properties with natural macromolecules' mechanical strength and processability.
• This field is rapidly advancing, creating versatile hybrid materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a unified framework for MXene/biomacromolecule composites.
• To classify architectures, compare fabrication strategies, and summarize interfacial assembly principles.
• To critically review recent progress and identify challenges and opportunities.

Main Methods:

• Classification of architectures into membranes/films, papers, gels, and nonwoven structures.
• Systematic comparison of fabrication strategies: vacuum-assisted assembly, solution casting, printing, electrospinning, and gelation.
• Summary of interfacial assembly principles: hydrogen bonding, electrostatic/coordination interactions, and hierarchical structural confinement.

Main Results:

• Four main architecture categories and five fabrication strategies were identified.
• Interfacial interactions and structural confinement are key for suppressing MXene restacking and enabling transport pathways.
• Progress was reviewed across applications including EMI shielding, soft actuation, biomedicine, energy storage, flexible electronics, and water purification.

Conclusions:

• MXene/biomacromolecule composites offer significant potential across diverse applications.
• Key challenges include oxidation mitigation, long-term stability, scalable manufacturing, and biosafety evaluation.
• Future development requires computational guidance for multifunctional integration and robust design principles.