Emerging MXene-based Composites: Synthesis, and Recent Advances in Food Contaminant Analysis

Background: With the increasing global concerns over food safety, there is a growing demand for highly efficient and environmentally friendly materials for food analysis. MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides or nitrides, exhibit remarkable potential in detecting, adsorbing, and degrading harmful substances in food, as well as in antibacterial applications. The development of MXene-based composites, which integrate MXenes with other functional materials, enhances their stability and versatility, thereby offering innovative solutions for ensuring food safety. Scope and approach: This review systematically summarizes the synthesis strategies of MXenes and their composites, with an emphasis on the application of MXene-based composites in the detection of food contaminants. It highlights the critical role of MXene-based composites in food analysis and discusses the challenges and prospects of these materials in food safety monitoring. The findings presented herein provide a robust theoretical foundation for the advancement of high-performance MXene-based composites and offer advanced strategies for enhancing food analytical technologies. Key findings and conclusions: The integration of MXene-based composites with various functional materials significantly improves the sensitivity, selectivity and stability of the electrochemical, optical and colorimetric platforms. These composites have been successfully applied in adsorption, degradation, detection of harmful substances, as well as in antibacterial applications. Despite existing challenges such as long-term stability and scalable production, MXene-based composites demonstrate substantial potential for the development of portable sensors, thereby offering strong support for advancements in food analysis technology.