MXene-based biomaterial nanoarchitectonics for chronic wound healing

Chronic wounds impose a severe global clinical burden, affecting millions of patients yearly and causing substantial healthcare costs. Commercial dressings are limited by single-functionality. They cannot address core pathological barriers: persistent infection, prolonged inflammation, insufficient angiogenesis, and impaired electrophysiology. MXene, an emerging two-dimensional nanoarchitectonic material, has distinctive physicochemical properties (high conductivity, efficient photothermal conversion, versatile surface modifiability). It promotes chronic wound healing via four synergistic core mechanisms: antibacterial action, anti-inflammatory effects, pro-angiogenic capacity, and electrical sensing. However, systematic summaries integrating its synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and clinical prospects in chronic wound healing are lacking.

This review aims to fill the existing knowledge gap. It comprehensively organizes the latest research progress, core therapeutic mechanisms, and application potential of MXene-based biomaterials in chronic wound healing. It also provides theoretical and technical support for rational advanced multifunctional wound dressing design and clinical translation.

MXene has a well-defined structure-performance-biological effect correlation, underpinning its unique multifunctional synergy. This synergy significantly outperforms single-functional commercial dressings. Recent advances in MXene's synthesis/modification strategies and composite biomaterials (hydrogels, nanofibrous membranes, microneedles) have enhanced its therapeutic efficacy. Core challenges restricting clinical translation include oxidation instability, high large-scale production costs, and unconfirmed long-term biosafety. Targeted future research directions (e.g., fluorine-free synthesis, stability modification) are proposed to address these critical issues.