Mxenes-based sorbents: Pioneering nanomaterials and its mechanism for advanced dye remediation in aqueous environments

MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional materials discovered in 2011, have garnered significant attention due to their unique structural, chemical, and physical properties composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, MXenes offer tunable surface chemistry, high conductivity, and a large specific surface area. These characteristics make MXenes highly promising for various applications, including environmental remediation. MXene plays a potential role in removing dye pollutants from industrial wastewater, which poses significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradability. This review examines the potential of MXenes as advanced materials for dye removal in wastewater treatment. It exhibits significant compatibility with catalytic and photocatalytic degradation processes, enhancing their efficacy in decomposing complex dye molecules into more straightforward, less harmful compounds. However, challenges related to large-scale synthesis, stability in aqueous environments, and potential environmental impacts require critical analysis and developing targeted strategies to mitigate these limitations. This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in the synthesis, functional modification, and application of MXenes for dye removal. It offers a comprehensive understanding of their underlying mechanisms and practical implementation in wastewater treatment systems. Future research directions emphasize the integration of MXenes with hybrid technologies, such as advanced membranes, composite materials, and nanofluids, to optimize their performance, scalability, and environmental sustainability. By highlighting the potential of MXenes in addressing global water pollution challenges, this study underscores their role in driving innovative solutions for sustainable water treatment and environmental remediation. • Enhanced concentration of dyeing components renders severe health hazards. • Mxenes act as efficient components to sequester such dyes owing to its excellent surface distribution. • Progress of Mxenes in dye removal is explored in detail in this review. • Also highlights the synthesis, properties and specific mechanism for several dyes. • Key challenges and scaling up Mxene fabrication are also well discussed.