Molecularly imprinted and MXene-based electrochemical sensors for detecting pharmaceuticals and toxic compounds: A concise review

Since the discovery of MXenes in 2011, considerable research has been conducted on the diverse applications of MXenes, encompassing areas such as electrochemical sensing. It is crucial to develop electrochemical sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity. Several nanostructured materials have been contemplated for the fabrication of electrochemical(bio)sensors, aiming to attain superior selectivity and sensitivity. Lately, MXenes have attracted considerable interest as electro-active modifiers in developing electrochemical sensors, owing to their distinctive chemical and physical characteristics as 2D nanomaterials. MXenes possess attributes such as high conductivity, hydrophobicity, and expansive specific surface areas, capturing the interest of researchers across various fields. This includes environmental water engineering applications such as desalination and wastewater treatment and the design and construction of efficient sensors for detecting hazardous environmental pollutants. This study provides a concise overview of the utilization of electrochemical sensors based on MXenes for detecting environmental toxic pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, and more. The paper delves into the synthetic methods and characteristics of MXenes. Furthermore, it explores the integration of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), metal nanoparticles, and other carbon nanostructured materials to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of MXene-based sensors. Moreover, it addresses the main challenges and provides perspectives on future research directions.