A novel route to develop oxidation-resistant MXenes for biomedical and nanomedicine applications

MXenes are gaining attention in nanomedicine, with Nb₂CT_x standing out as a particularly promising, non-toxic, and biocompatible candidate. Despite its potential for clinical applications, Nb₂CT_x requires surface stabilization to prevent oxidation and improve stability. Jakubczak et al. employed a tandem stabilization approach using LA as an antioxidant, combined with organic macromolecules such as PEG, PLL, or PDA, to enhance stability and biocompatibility in standard biological media. In their work, LA acts by protecting reactive MXene edges from oxidation, PEG reduces particle–particle interactions through steric hindrance, and PDA forms a covalent and π–π bonded shell providing long-term adhesion and stability. PLL, while providing electrostatic interactions, is more labile under physiological conditions. The combination of these mechanisms in a tandem-type stabilization approach results in a synergistic enhancement of the colloidal stability and biocompatibility, offering a mechanistically informed strategy for reliable surface engineering of MXenes in biomedical applications. This dual-modification strategy highlights a novel route for improving the MXene performance in biological environments, offering clear advantages over traditional surface treatments. This work was reported by Frontiers of Materials Science recently.

The findings indicate that Nb₂CT_x MXene can be reliably stabilized and surface-functionalized, facilitating consistent performance in biological settings. Although the present work primarily evaluated stability through colloidal and electrokinetic parameters, the improved performance of LA-containing systems indirectly confirms the antioxidative contribution of LA in preventing the MXene oxidation. This mechanistic insight supports the tandem-type approach as an effective oxidation-suppression strategy and establishes a foundation for future studies focused on direct quantification of antioxidant activity and oxidation-state analysis. This work marks a significant step toward the potential clinical application of Nb₂CT_x in nanomedicine, underscoring its viability as a stable and biocompatible material for future medical research and clinical trials.