Antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer potential of two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene

Here, we explored the antimicrobial and anticancer potential of two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx ) MXene. Several gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Entero-coccus faecalis, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, and Proteus vulgaris), gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis), and fungi (Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida acuminatus, and Epidermophyton floccosum) were examined for antimicrobial activity of Ti3C2Tx . Anticancer activity of Ti3C2Tx was determined in human lung (A549) and breast (MCF7) cancer cells along with their normal counterparts (IMR90 and MCF10A). Results demonstrated that Ti3C2Tx exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against all selected microbes. In bacteria, B. subtilis and E. coli were most sensitive while S. epidermidis was least sensitive against Ti3C2Tx . Among fungi, E. floccosum was most vulnerable while C. Candida krusei was least vulnerable toward Ti3C2Tx exposure. Moreover, Ti3C2Tx exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both types of cancer (A549 and MCF7) cells. Importantly, Ti3C2Tx did not cause cytotoxicity to normal cells (IMR90 and MCF10A). This study warrants further research on the application of 2D Ti3C2Tx nanosheets in medicine.