Materials Chemistry Horizons
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Sep 2023

MXenes have potential applications in biomedicine, ranging from sensors and cancer theranostics to targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering/regenerative medicine. They are characterized by fascinating structural, optical, thermal, mechanical, electronic, and biological features, making them promising for various biomedical purposes. MXenes with high surface area, excellent conductivity, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, high atomic numbers, and unique paramagnetic behavior have been hybridized with organic/inorganic materials to develop various biomedical devices, biosensors, tissue engineering scaffolds, antimicrobial agents, etc. Ongoing research in this field is expected to lead to the development of even more MXene-based biomedical devices in the future. Despite the biomedical potential of MXene-based composites, their biosafety and potential environmental risks need to be in-depth evaluated. In addition, physiological stability, decomposition rate, and controlled/sustained drug release as well as limited in-vivo studies and systematic guidelines are crucial aspects that should be considered for developing next-generation multifunctional MXene-based composites in biomedicine. Notably, clinical translation studies ought to be systematically addressed before these materials can be used in clinical applications. Despite their promising potential, challenges remain in the large-scale production and functionalization of MXenes. In this perspective, important challenges for in vivo applications, pitfalls, and future outlooks for the employment of MXenes in biomedicine are deliberated. The progress and biomedical applications of MXenes have been briefly reviewed, and the development background of MXenes has been introduced.

This work aimed to prepare pH-sensitive nanofibrous mats as a drug releasing system using a green method. Gelatin nanofibers were first prepared by electrospinning and then cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. To evaluate the capability of this product as a drug delivery system, vancomycin was loaded into the nanofibrous mats in different doses as a model antibiotic drug. The chemical structure of the prepared material was investigated by (Fourier transform-infrared) FT-IR. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observations showed that uniform bead-free nanofibers with an average diameter of 157 nm were successfully fabricated. The drug release studies revealed that the relative rate of drug release in buffer media with pH =2.0 was higher than that in a buffer solution with pH =7.4. The drug release mechanism of samples was determined by Korsmir-Pepas model. Moreover, the incorporation of vancomycin into the nanofibers provided an effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus microorganisms. The developed antibiotic loaded nanofibrous mats can be considered as a promising novel antimicrobial wound dressing material.

Electroconductive polymers (ECPs) have garnered increasing attention in the realms of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties, including their ability to conduct electrical signals. These polymers, with inherent conductivity mirroring that of native tissues, present a promising platform for scaffolds that can modulate cell behavior and tissue formation through electrical stimulation. The biocompatibility, tunable conductivity, and topographical features of ECPs enhance cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Furthermore, their electrical properties have been shown to augment nerve regeneration, cardiac tissue repair, and musculoskeletal tissue formation. Combined with other biomaterials or biological molecules, ECP-based composites exhibit synergistic effects, promoting enhanced tissue regeneration. Moreover, the integration of ECPs with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing and microfluidics propels the design of sophisticated constructs for tissue engineering applications. This paper concludes with the challenges faced in the clinical translation of ECP-based scaffolds and provides perspectives on the future trajectory of ECPs in regenerative medicine. The synthesis of ECPs with emerging biotechnologies has the potential to revolutionize treatments, bridging the gap between traditional regenerative approaches and sophisticated bioelectronic remedies

This study aims to prepare and evaluate the catalytic advantages of ZnFe2O4@Fe3O4 in the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene derivatives. The catalyst was prepared in two steps (1) preparation of zinc ferrite ZnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles by co-precipitation technique (2) preparation of mixed metal oxide (ZnFe2O4@Fe3O4). The catalyst was fully characterized by FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TGA, and VSM analyses. The ZnFe2O4@Fe3O4 was applied as a catalyst for the 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes. The products were synthesized in significant yields (85–95%) in short reaction times (15–60 min) without laborious work-up. The biological activity of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxant derivatives was studied. These compounds showed antioxidant activity between 64.4 and 90.2% and their antimicrobial activity against S. enterica, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, and E. faecalis was investigated.

In this study, the effect of potassium atoms on the physical properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles in comparison with non-doped particles has been studied. At first, PZT and K-doped nanoparticles were synthesized in powder phase by well-known sol-gel method under reflux condition. Powders analyzed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), surface electronic microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-visible spectrum. Analyses showed formations of PZT nanostructures and particles sizes were compared for two samples and showed it have been increased for potassium doped particles. Also, the indirect band gap was decreases by adding the potassium doping. Then, powders were turned into tablets under pressure and after ceramicizing them, both sides were coated by conductive layers in order to apply electric voltage. The Michelson interferometer was used to evaluate the piezoelectric properties of the tablets. Continue wave (CW) He-Ne laser beam was used as the source and the number of interference fringes was studied versus the applied voltage to the tables. By increasing the thickness of tables and change the optical path difference, fringes number was changed and obtained curves were studied which showed meaningful increment in piezoelectric properties of potassium doped PZT structures. This modification method can be recommended for enhancing piezoelectricity of PZT based devices.

Polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbents have emerged as promising materials for water purification due to their unique properties, including high surface area, low cost, abundance, and ease of interaction with contaminants. These materials can be prepared using a variety of methods, including solvent casting, in situ polymerization, and electrospinning. The application of polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbents in water purification has been widely reported in the literature, with promising results for the removal of a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals, organic dyes, and bacteria. This review manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbents for water purification. The review will begin with a discussion of the different types of polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposites and the methods used to prepare them. The next section will review the application of these materials in water purification, with specific examples of their use to remove various pollutants. Finally, the review will conclude with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the future development of polymer-based antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbents for water purification. This review will be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the field of water purification, as well as those working on the development of new materials for environmental remediation.