Recent trends in MXene polymeric Hydrogel bionanoarchitectures and applications
Christopher Igwe Idumah
Abstract
Recently, hydrogels (HYD) have garnered tremendous interest because of their potential uses in sensors, flexible energy storing gadgets, human@machine-interfacial systems, soft electronics and actuating machines. As a result of their inherent exhibition of hydrophilicity, metallically inclined conductivity, elevated aspect ratio, architectural disposition along with tune-able attributes, when 2-D transitionally inclined metallic carbides/nitrides or M−X are embedded within HYD systems, they give enchanting and wide settings for the fabrication of M−X oriented soft materials with tunable applicability and multifunctional properties. M−X@HYD bionanoarchitectures exceptional properties are propelled by intricate gel architectures along with gelation strategies, requiring versatile studies and engineering at the nanoscale. Nevertheless, M−X embedment within HYD can notably increment M−X stability, which regularly is an inhibiting parameter for varying M−X oriented uses. Nevertheless, through simplified modifications, M−X@HYD derivatives like aerogels, are liable to be garnered, thereby broadening their horizon. Therefore, this elucidation presents recently emerging trends in M−X@HYD architectures, multifunctional applications and enhancement of the performance of M−X−oriented gadgets. Herein, the prevailing architectures of varying M−X@HYD constructions as well as inherent gelation mechanisms along with their interlinkage propelling forces are elucidated. Their unique properties and multifunctional applications (electromagnetic interference shielding, biomedicals, energy storage/harvesting, sensing and catalysis), emanating from embedment of M−X within HYD are comprehensively and elaborately elucidated in this review paper.