Global Climate Research

Overview

Water scarcity and contamination are major global challenges requiring innovative solutions for water purification and desalination.

MXenes are a novel class of two-dimensional materials composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides with unique properties suitable for water treatment. Their high surface area, hydrophilicity, and ion selectivity make them promising candidates for membrane-based water purification technologies.

This review examines the recent developments in MXene-based materials for water desalination, purification and antibacterial applications. Here we show that MXene-based materials demonstrate exceptional potential for water treatment applications through their unique combination of properties including high surface area, ion selectivity, and antibacterial activity.

Compared to traditional membrane materials, MXenes show superior water permeability and ion selectivity. Unlike conventional materials, MXenes also exhibit inherent antibacterial properties and can be easily functionalized to enhance their performance. Access to clean water is a fundamental human need, and developing efficient water treatment technologies is crucial for addressing global water scarcity.

MXene-based materials can be used to develop high-performance membranes for water desalination and purification systems. They can also be incorporated into existing water treatment infrastructure to enhance performance and provide antibacterial properties. Additionally, their application in solar steam generation offers a sustainable approach to water purification. Future research should focus on improving the stability and scalability of MXene-based materials, as well as developing more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes. Investigation into the long-term environmental impacts and optimization of surface functionalization are also needed.