Enhancing Electrochemical Glucose Biosensors with Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes
Diabetes remains one of the most significant global health challenges, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Continuous glucose monitoring is essential for effective disease management and prevention. In this study, researchers explored the potential of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes as modifiers for the working electrode in electrochemical glucose biosensors, achieving substantial performance improvements compared to conventional designs.
The incorporation of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes markedly enhanced sensor sensitivity and stability. The addition of Nafion or Aquivion as ionomer binders improved coating uniformity and layer adhesion, addressing issues of incomplete MXene coverage and surface instability. Optimization of polymer concentration proved essential for maintaining a balance between morphology, mechanical stability, and electrochemical activity. Among the redox mediators tested, phenazine methosulfate (PMS) demonstrated the most efficient electron transfer and superior overall sensor performance.
The resulting MXene-based biosensors exhibited:
A practical linear glucose detection range (0.1–5 mM)
Low limits of detection (23–48 μM)
High sensitivities (up to 97.5 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²)
Excellent repeatability and reproducibility
Importantly, the developed biosensors successfully detected glucose in human serum samples, confirming their practical applicability.
This work provides valuable insights into the use of pristine Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes (rather than composites) as promising materials for next-generation glucose biosensors. The study underscores the importance of surface chemistry, film stability, and polymer optimization in achieving high-performance sensing platforms. Future research should focus on exploring the effects of MXene deposition methods, flake size, and enzyme immobilization strategies to further improve analytical performance and ensure long-term stability in real-world biomedical applications.
Highlights
We are excited to share that our Carbon-Ukraine (Y-Carbon LLC) company participated in the I2DM Summit and Expo 2025 at Khalifa University in Abu-Dhabi! Huge thanks to Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) for hosting such a high-level event.It was an incredible opportunity to meet brilliant researchers and innovators working on the next generation of 2D materials. The insights and energy from the summit will definitely drive new ideas in our own development.
Carbon-Ukraine team had the unique opportunity to visit XPANCEO - a Dubai-based deep tech startup company that is developing the first smart contact lenses with AR vision and health monitoring features, working on truly cutting-edge developments.
Our Carbon-Ukraine team (Y-Carbon LLC) are thrilled to start a new RIC2D project MX-Innovation in collaboration with Drexel University Yury Gogotsi and Khalifa University! Amazing lab tours to project collaborators from Khalifa University, great discussions, strong networking, and a wonderful platform for future collaboration.
MXenes potential applications include sensors, wound healing materials, and drug delivery systems. A recent study explored how different synthesis methods affect the safety and performance of MXenes. By comparing etching conditions and intercalation strategies, researchers discovered that fine-tuning the surface chemistry of MXenes plays a crucial role in improving biocompatibility. These results provide practical guidelines for developing safer MXenes and bring the field one step closer to real biomedical applications.
An excellent review highlighting how MXene-based sensors can help tackle one of today’s pressing environmental challenges — heavy metal contamination. Excited to see such impactful work moving the field of environmental monitoring and sensor technology forward!
Carbon-Ukraine team was truly delighted to take part in the kickoff meeting of the ATHENA Project (Advanced Digital Engineering Methods to Design MXene-based Nanocomposites for Electro-Magnetic Interference Shielding in Space), supported by NATO through the Science for Peace and Security Programme.
Exellent news, our joint patent application with Drexel University on highly porous MAX phase precursor for MXene synthesis published. Congratulations and thanks to all team involved!
Our team was very delighted to take part in International Symposium "The MXene Frontier: Transformative Nanomaterials Shaping the Future" – the largest MXene event in Europe this year! 
Last Call! Have you submitted your abstract for IEEE NAP-2025 yet? Join us at the International Symposium on "The MXene Frontier: Transformative Nanomaterials Shaping the Future" – the largest MXene-focused conference in Europe this year! Final Submission Deadline: May 15, 2025. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to showcase your research and engage with world leaders in the MXene field!
We are excited to announce the publication of latest review article on MXenes in Healthcare. This comprehensive review explores the groundbreaking role of MXenes—an emerging class of 2D materials—in revolutionizing the fields of medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR04853A.
Congratulations and thank you to our collaborators from TU Wien and CEST for very interesting work and making it published! In this work, an upscalable electrochemical MXene synthesis is presented. Yields of up to 60% electrochemical MXene (EC-MXene) with no byproducts from a single exfoliation cycle are achieved.
Congratulations to all collaborators with this interesting joint work!