The Effect of Mxene on Antibacterial Activity and its Optical Characterization for Biological Application

MXene was synthesized from the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase via hydrothermal wet chemical etching using a hydrofluoric acid–hydrochloric acid mixture. X ray diffraction showed a shift of the (002) peak to lower 2θ values, indicating expanded interlayer spacing after selective removal of aluminium and surface termination. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the characteristic accordion like, multilayer morphology of exfoliated MXene, while energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy confirmed aluminium depletion and the presence of –F, –O, and –OH terminations. Raman and UV–visible–near infrared spectroscopy verified retained structural integrity and strong broadband optical absorption of the delaminated nanosheets. These observations demonstrate successful etching and exfoliation into high quality, stable Ti₃C₂Tₓ nanosheets with well defined structural and surface characteristics. Antibacterial testing showed improvement for MXene versus MAX. Ti₃AlC₂ gave 14 mm inhibition, ~58% of Nitrofurantoin’s 24 mm. Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene yielded 26 mm, ~8% above the antibiotic and 85% higher than Ti₃AlC₂. Efficacy is attributed to higher surface reactivity and sharper nanosheet edges improving membrane interaction. Thus, Ti₃C₂Tₓ combines optical robustness and superior antibacterial performance, promising for antimicrobial coatings and biomedical environmental applications. The study adds to growing evidence that MXenes, with mechanisms involving physical damage and oxidative stress, can serve as effective antimicrobial agents.