Unlocking the Potential of Ti3C2Tx MXene: Present Trends and Future Developments of Gas Sensing

Abstract

In recent years, the need for future developments in sensor technology has arisen out of the changing landscape, such as pollution monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare. MXenes, a 2D class of transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have emerged as a particularly promising group in part due to their exceptionally high conductivity, large area, and tunable surface chemistry. Proposed future research directions, including material modification and novel sensor designs, are presented to maximize Ti3C2Tx MXene-based sensors for various gas sensing applications. While recent progress in Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors is reviewed, we consolidate their material properties, fabrication strategy, and sensing mechanisms. Further, the significant progress on the synthesis and applications of Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors, as well as the innovative technologies developed, will be discussed in detail. Interestingly, the high sensitivity, selectivity, and quick response times identified in recent studies are discussed, with specificity and composite formation highlighted to have a significant influence on sensor performance. In addition, this review highlights the limitations witnessed in real-life implementability, including stability, the possibility of achieving reproducible results, and interaction with currently available technologies. Prospects for further work are considered, emphasizing increased production scale, new techniques for synthesis, and new application areas for Ti3C2Tx MXenes, including electronic nose and environmental sensing. Contemplating the existing works, further directions and the development framework for Ti3C2Tx MXene-based gas sensors are discussed.