MXenes-based adsorbents for environmental remediation

Multiple harmful pollutants in liquid are vented into ecosystems due to the rapid expansion of industry, which can be typically divided into two broad categories: inorganic and organic. Adsorption is one of the most prevalent water purification methods, and many different adsorbents have been developed to remove these contaminants. MXenes, a rapidly expanding and diverse family of 2D materials with various applications, have garnered much attention in recent years. MXenes are particularly promising as adsorbents for removing pollutants from aqueous systems due to their unique chemical, physical, and mechanical capabilities, high specific surface area, diverse surface chemistries, and hydrophilic character. Given the rapid advancement of MXenes-based adsorbents, an updated literature review on these materials is urgently needed to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the latest research advancements and developments. The application of MXenes and its derivates in environmental remediation have been reviewed in this work. The adsorption of heavy metals, radionuclides, dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals by MXenes and its derivates were summarized, meanwhile, the effects of surface terminations and the adsorption mechanisms were also analyzed and emphasized. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the MXenes-based adsorbents are discussed. This review summarizes the status of investigations on MXenes-based adsorbents and offers perspectives on their potential development.