Biocompatible and Oxidation-Resistant Ti3C2Tx MXene with Halogen-Free Surface Terminations

Abstract

Surface chemistry influences not only physicochemical properties but also safety and applications of MXene nanomaterials. Fluorinated Ti3C2Tx MXene, synthesized using conventional HF-based etchants, raises concerns regarding harmful effects on electronics and toxicity to living organisms. In this study, well-delaminated halogen-free Ti3C2Tx flakes are synthesized using NaOH-based etching solution. The transversal surface plasmon mode of halogen-free Ti3C2Tx MXene (833 nm) confirmed red-shift compared to conventional Ti3C2Tx (752 nm), and the halogen-free Ti3C2Tx MXene has a different density of state by the high proportion of -O and -OH terminations. The synthesized halogen-free Ti3C2Tx exhibits a lower water contact angle (34.5 degrees) and work function (3.6 eV) than those of fluorinated Ti3C2Tx (49.8 degrees and 4.14 eV, respectively). The synthesized halogen-free Ti3C2Tx exhibits high biocompatibility with the living cells, as evidenced by no noticeable cytotoxicity, even at very high concentrations (2000 mu g mL(-1)), at which fluorinated Ti3C2Tx caused approximate to 50% reduction in cell viability upon its oxidation. Additionally, the oxidation stability of halogen-free Ti3C2Tx is enhanced unexpectedly, which cumulatively provides a good rationale for pursuing the halogen-free routes for synthesizing MXene materials for their uses in biomedical and therapeutic applications.