Integration of two-dimensional MXene into polymeric-based nanocomposite hydrogels for various biomedical applications: Recent advances and future prospects

MXenes (viz., transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides) are emerging two-dimensional materials (2DMats) with remarkable properties, such as excellent biocompatibility, surface hydrophilicity, easy surface modification, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties. Including these materials in a polymer matrix makes it possible to produce hydrogels with functional properties applicable to various biomedical areas. This review provides a brief overview of the structure and properties of MXenes, their integration into polymer matrices to formulate emerging MXene-polymer-based nanocomposite hydrogels (CHGs), their multifunctional biomedical applications, machine learning-assisted design and applications, the associated challenges, and future outlooks.