Advancements in Water Treatment with MXene-Enhanced Membranes: A Review of Current Progress and Future Directions

Abstract

Since their inception in 2011, MXenes have attracted significant attention from a range of industries due to their fascinating architectures and alluring features. Given its two-dimensional multilayered structures, high mechanical strength, outstanding electrical conductivity, and customizable surface chemistry, MXene, a new family of two-dimensional (2D) multifunctional nanomaterials, has demonstrated exceptional performance in water treatment technologies. The most recent developments in the field of MXene-based membranes, from synthesis to fabrication and application, are reviewed in this article. The manufacture of MXene membranes and their applications in membrane separation were explored in detail. The discovery and properties of MXene were briefly reviewed first, and then new developments in MXene production methods were discussed. Subsequently, the properties and methods of manufacture and integration of versatile membranes based on MXene were explored. The most recent developments in water treatment applications, such as wastewater purification, oil/water separation, and desalination, were also covered in-depth. The durability and stability of membranes based on MXene were thoroughly discussed from many perspectives, revealing that these membranes can achieve filtration efficiency of over 99% for various contaminants, such as heavy metals and organic pollutants. Additionally, Durability tests demonstrate that these membranes retain their structural integrity and performance even after extended exposure to harsh chemical environments and many filtration cycles. Comparative studies demonstrate that MXene membranes surpass unmodified membranes, in terms of both flux and pollutant removal efficiency. Lastly, research directions and prospects were discussed to enhance the use of MXene-based membranes in a variety of water treatment applications. The literature analyses revealed that, after addressing several shortcomings and challenges related to their use, MXene-based membranes could revolutionize nanostructured composite membranes.