Humans recognize and manipulate objects relying on the multidimensional force features captured by the tactile sense of skin during the manipulation. Since the current sensors integrated in robots cannot support the robots to sense the multiple interaction states between manipulator and objects, achieving human-like perception and analytical capabilities remains a major challenge for service robots. Prompted by the tactile perception involved in robots performing complex tasks, a multimodal tactile sensory system is presented to provide in situ simultaneous sensing for robots when approaching, touching, and manipulating objects. The system comprises a capacitive sensor owning the high sensitivity of 1.11E-2 pF mm-1, a triboelectricity nanogenerator with the fast response speed of 30 ms, and a pressure sensor array capable of 3D force detection. By Combining transfer learning models, which fuses multimodal tactile information to achieve high-precision (up to 95%) recognition of the multi-featured targets such as random hardness and texture information under random sampling conditions, including random grasp force and velocity. This sensory system is expected to enhance the intelligent recognition and behavior-planning capabilities of autonomous robots when performing complex tasks in undefined surrounding environments.

Advancement in the development of new materials with theranostic and phototherapeutic potential along with receptiveness to external stimuli has been persistently inspiring oncology research. Herein, titanium carbide-based MXene quantum dots (FHMQDs) have been synthesized and modified to take advantage of stimuli-responsive behavior and target specificity for breast cancer cells. With a size of around 3 nm, the developed FHMQDs demonstrate high fluorescent emission at around 460 nm. With ∼90 % encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin (DOX), the developed system also offers rapid DOX release behavior when encountering an acidic pH (5.4). Further, the in vitro assessment of the developed FHMQDs on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells presents excellent target specificity to cancer cells which was reflected by its high cytotoxicity against cancer cells. Additionally, the outstanding photodynamic efficiency of FHMQDs due to excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generating ability along with apoptosis promoting capability of FHMQDs in cancer cells demonstrates a synergistic approach in cancer theranostics. Encouragingly, the fabricated FHMQDs also exhibited fluorescent labelling and bioimaging capacity which makes it an incredible platform that ensures theranostic excellence in breast cancer research.

MXene-based membranes, as a type of modified membrane, have unique structures that attract attention for water treatment but suffer from low water flux. To address this, MXene was manipulated with UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles to create UiO-66-NH2@MXene 2D-nanocomposites for the modification of the PES membrane. Herein, we synthesized a novel modified MXene-based PES membrane. The MXene, UiO-66-NH2, and UiO-66-NH2@MXene were assessed using the Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction pattern, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the MXene-based materials and prepared membranes, and the surface topography of the fabricated membranes was studied using atomic force microscopy. The membrane modified by 0.25 wt% of modifier was able to not only remove 72% and 81% of methylene blue and crystal violet cationic dyes, but also recorded more than 91% rejections for methyl blue, methyl orange, acid fusion, and Congo red anionic dyes. Using the same membrane, salt rejections of 91%, 87%, 79%, and 62% were achieved for Na2SO4, MgSO4, MgCl2, and NaCl, respectively. Water flux was also increased by more than 4 times in the membrane modified with 0.25 wt% of the novel nanocomposite modifier, and the water contact angle of the membrane with 0.5 wt% decreased from 65˚ to 38˚ compared to the pristine PES membrane. Besides, the anti-fouling properties were exceptionally improved in the membranes modified by the introduced UiO-66-NH2@MXene nanocomposite modifier.

Bladder tissue engineering offers significant potential for repairing defects resulting from congenital and acquired conditions. However, the effectiveness of engineered grafts is often constrained by insufficient vascularization and neural regeneration. This study utilized four primary biomaterials─gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), chitin nanocrystals (ChiNC), titanium carbide (MXene), and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC)─to formulate two types of bioinks, GCM0.2 and GCM0.2-ADSC, in specified proportions. These bioinks were 3D printed onto bladder acellular matrix (BAM) patches to create BAM-GCM0.2 and BAM-GCM0.2-ADSC patches. The BAM-GCM0.2-ADSC patches underwent electrical stimulation to yield GCM0.2-ADSC-ES bladder patches. Employed for the repair of rat bladder defects, these patches were evaluated against a Control group, which underwent partial cystectomy followed by direct suturing. Our findings indicate that the inclusion of ADSC and electrical stimulation significantly enhances the regeneration of rat bladder smooth muscle (from [24.052 ± 2.782] % to [57.380 ± 4.017] %), blood vessels (from [5.326 ± 0.703] % to [12.723 ± 1.440] %), and nerves (from [0.227 ± 0.017] % to [1.369 ± 0.218] %). This research underscores the superior bladder repair capabilities of the GCM0.2-ADSC-ES patch and opens new pathways for bladder defect repair.

Silk fibroin (SF), a natural biodegradable and biocompatible protein, has garnered significant attention in biomedical applications due to its impressive properties, including excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical resilience. Nevertheless, its broader usage faces obstacles by its insufficient mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. In order to address these constraints, recent studies have concentrated on combining SF with cutting-edge nanomaterials like MXene and carbon-based materials. This review comprehensively examines the applications and potential of silk fibroin-MXene/carbon-based nanocomposites in biomedical fields. The unique properties of SF, MXene, and carbon-based materials are explored, emphasizing how their combination enhances mechanical strength, conductivity, and biocompatibility. These composites show substantial enhancements in performance for several biomedical applications by utilising the excellent conductivity and mechanical capabilities of MXene and carbonaceous elements. The innovative potential of these nanocomposites is highlighted by critically discussing key applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biosensing. In addition, the work discusses the latest research progress, difficulties, and future prospects in the sector, providing valuable insights into possible breakthroughs and uses. This review seeks to comprehensively analyse the existing information on silk fibroin-MXene/carbon based nanocomposites in healthcare.

Mo2CTx MXene materials, known for their high conductivity and abundant surface functional groups, are widely utilized as electrode materials in supercapacitors. However, their tendency to stack during electrochemical energy storage hinders their performance. The in situ growth of nanorod-shaped Ni,Co bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (Ni,Co-MOF) on Mo2CTx MXene effectively mitigates this stacking. With their porous structure and high specific surface area, MOFs excel in energy storage, and bimetallic MOFs outperform monometallic ones. The synergy between Mo2CTx MXene and Ni,Co-MOF yields an outstanding performance. In a three-electrode system with 1 M KOH, the Mo2CTx/Ni,Co-MOF composite shows a specific capacitance of 58 mAh g-1 (56.26 mAh cm-3) at 1 A g-1. When used in a Mo2CTx/Ni,Co-MOF//AC asymmetric supercapacitor, it achieves an energy density of 22.7 Wh kg-1(0.022 Wh cm-3) at a power density of 293 W kg-1 (0.284 W cm-3). Future work will focus on enhancing synthesis methods, exploring different bimetallic combinations, and optimizing electrode designs for gas sensors, batteries, fuel cells, biological sensors, and so on, with outstanding performance and sustainability.

Ti3C2Tx (MXene) is widely acknowledged as an excellent substrate for constructing heterogeneous structures with transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) for boosting the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion storage. However, conventional synthesis strategies inevitably lead to poor electrochemical charge transfer due to Ti3C2Tx-derived TiO2 at the heterogeneous interface between Ti3C2Tx and TMCs. Here, an innovative in situ selenization strategy is proposed to replace the originally generated TiO2 on Ti3C2Tx with metallic TiSe2 interphase, clearing the bottleneck of slow charge transfer barrier caused by MXene oxidation. The construction of bimetallic selenide formed by CoSe2 and TiSe2 generates intrinsic electric fields to guide the fast ion diffusion kinetics in a heterogeneous interface. Additionally, the CoSe2/TiSe2/Ti3C2Tx heterogeneous structure with enhanced structural stability and improved rate performance is confirmed by both experiments and theoretical calculations. The engineered heterogeneous structure exhibits an ultra-high pseudocapacitance contribution (73.1% at 0.1 mV s-1), rendering it well-suited to offset the kinetics differences between double-layer materials. The assembled lithium-ion capacitor based on CoSe2/TiSe2/Ti3C2Tx possesses a high energy density and an ultralong life span (89.5% after 10 000 times at 2 A g-1). This devised strategy provides a feasible solution for utilizing the performance advantages of MXene substrates in lithium storage with ultrafast charge transfer kinetics.

At present, it is very necessary to select and prepare suitable positive and negative electrode materials to fabricate high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention in the energy storage field due to their high conductivity. As a branch, the zirconium organic framework (UIO-66) is a promising porous material due to its large specific surface area and abundant Zr centers. Graphene oxide (GO) and MXene are very suitable as substrate materials for conducting an MOF due to their abundant active sites and adjustable interlayer distance. The GO/MXene@NiZrP prepared through an in situ composite of GO and Mxene with the hydrothermal method and calcining method showed excellent electrochemical performance. Compared with the precursor UIO-66, the specific capacitance of the final product GO/MXene@NiZrP increases more than ten times, mainly because of its special layered porous structure, and GO/MXene@NiZrP has a larger specific surface area, pore volume, and surface defects caused by unstable Zr4+ than those of UIO-66. Using GO/MXene@NiZrP as the positive electrode and biochar (BC) as the negative electrode, an asymmetric supercapacitor, BC//GO/MXene@NiZrP, is assembled. After 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g-1, the capacitance retention remains at 83.3%, showing excellent cycle stability.

Developing flexible energy storage devices with good deformation resistance under extreme operating conditions is highly desirable yet remains very challenging. Super-elastic MXene-enhanced polyvinyl alcohol/polyaniline (AMPH) hydrogel electrodes are designed and synthesized through vertical gradient ice templating-induced polymerization. This approach allows for the unidirectional growth of polyaniline (PANI) and 2D MXene layers along the elongated arrayed ice crystals in a controlled manner. The resulting 3D unidirectional AMPH hydrogel exhibits inherent stretchability and electronic conductivity, with the ability to completely recover its shape even under extreme conditions, such as 500% tensile strain, 50% compressive strain. The presence of MXene in the hydrogel electrode enhances its resilience to mechanical compression and stretching, resulting in less variation in resistance. AMPH has a specific capacitance of 130.68 and 88.02 mF cm-2 at a current density of 0.2 and 2 mA cm-2, respectively, and retains 90% and 70% of its original capacitance at elongation of 100% and 200%, respectively. AMPH-based supercapacitors demonstrate exceptional performance in high salinity environments and wide temperature ranges (-30-80 °C). The high electrochemical activity, temperature tolerance, and mechanical robustness of AMPH-based supercapacitor endow it promising as the power supply for flexible and wearable electronic devices.

MXene, a promising two-dimensional nanomaterial, exhibits significant potential across various applications due to its multilayered structure, metal-like conductivity, solution processability, and surface functionalization capabilities. These remarkable properties facilitate the integration of MXenes and MXene-based materials into high-performance polymer composites. Regarding this, a comprehensive and well-structured up-to-date review is essential to provide an in-depth understanding of MXene/thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. This review discusses various synthetic and modification methods of MXenes, current research progress and future potential on MXene/thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites, existing knowledge gaps, and further development. The main focus is on discussing strategies for modifying MXene-based compounds and their flame-retardant efficiency, with particular emphasis on understanding their mechanisms within the TPU matrix. Ultimately, this review addresses current challenges and suggests future directions for the practical utilization of these materials.