Meta-analyses of the evolution of MXene synthesis for bioengineering and artificial intelligence-driven applications

The year 2011 marked a breakthrough in material science innovation with the discovery of MXenes, an emerging family of two-dimensional transition metal-based nanomaterials. Owing to their distinctive properties, MXenes have rapidly surfaced as transformative materials, particularly in energy-storage and nanomedicine. In this review, we systematically explore the evolution of MXene synthesis, from its discovery to current advancements, focussing on their bioengineering applications, through a meta-analytic and bibliometric lens. We discuss synthesis methods, ranging from hydrofluoric acid (HF)-based etching to non-HF approaches, along with post-synthesis processes like intercalation, delamination and surface functionalization, that tailor MXene properties for biomedical therapeutics. We also overview key microscopy, spectroscopy and diffraction-based characterization methods, to understand their structure and functionality. Additionally, discussion on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovations highlights the significant shift in material science. By connecting synthesis methods with resulting characteristics and meta-analyses trends, this review emphasizes MXenes' transformative potential in regenerative therapeutics and diagnostics.