A comprehensive review of MXene-based water-treatment membranes and technologies: Recent progress and perspectives

• Published in: Desalination Vol. 522; p. 115448
• Main Authors: Kwon, Ohchan, Choi, Yunkyu, Kang, Junhyeok, Kim, Ji Hoon, Choi, Eunji, Woo, Yun Chul, Kim, Dae Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.2022
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2021.115448

MXenes are a new class of two-dimensional materials that have attracted significant attention owing to their unique and versatile properties, including surface functionality, tunable interlayer spacing, and high photothermal efficiency. Research on MXene-based membranes is still in its early stages; this review aims to provide a general overview and perspectives of MXenes, including their synthesis, surface chemistry, interlayer tuning, membrane fabrication, and applications for water purification. Recent progress in the preparation of MXene-based membranes is also summarized, particularly focusing on nanofiltration, forward osmosis, pervaporation, and solar distillation. In addition, future perspectives and issues are discussed to provide insight into the development of MXene-based membranes and their practical separation applications. •MXenes are a new class of two-dimensional materials gaining interest for water treatment applications.•Physiochemical properties of MXene membranes for water treatment are discussed.•Recent advances in MXene membranes for water treatment are introduced, and their performances are tabulated.•Perspectives are provided, such as increasing material stability, securing scalability, and testing in realistic conditions.