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Ti₃C₂T_xMXene membranes have attracted considerable interest due to their exceptional water transport properties, yet the role of cation intercalation on governing transport remains poorly understood. In this experimental and theoretical study, it shows how intercalation with K⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺modulates both the nanochannel architecture and water flux of Ti₃C₂T_xmembranes. Unlike in graphene oxide analogs, cations with larger hydration diameters in Ti₃C₂T_xexpand the interlayer spacing, widening flow channels, enhancing slip length of these nanochannels, and boosting water flux from 31.45 to 61.86 L m⁻² h⁻¹. To overcome intrinsically poor adhesion of Ti₃C₂T_xto polymeric supports, this study incorporates a thin polyvinyl‐alcohol interlayer, which substantially enhances mechanical robustness and structural integrity. Together, these findings elucidate how cation hydration controls water transport and offer a flexible strategy for tailoring MXene membrane performance. 

What does materials science look like in the “Age of Artificial Intelligence?” Each material’s domain—synthesis, characterization, and modeling—has a different answer to this question, motivated by unique challenges and constraints. This work focuses on the tremendous potential of autonomous characterization within electron microscopy. We present our recent advancements in developing domain-aware, multimodal models for microscopy analysis capable of describing complex atomic systems. We then address the critical gap between the theoretical promise of autonomous microscopy and its current practical limitations, showcasing recent successes while highlighting the necessary developments to achieve robust, real-world autonomy. 

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, known as MXenes, are of interest as electrocatalysts. Tungsten-based MXenes are predicted to have low overpotentials in the hydrogen evolution reaction but their synthesis has proven difficult due to the calculated instability of their hypothetical MAX precursors. In this study, we present a theory-guided synthesis of a tungsten-based MXene, W2TiC2Tx, derived from a non-MAX nanolaminated ternary carbide (W,Ti)4C4−y precursor by the selective etching of one of the covalently bonded tungsten layers. Our results indicate the importance of tungsten and titanium ordering, the presence of vacancy defects in the metal layers, and the lack of oxygen impurities in the carbon layers for the successful selective etching of the precursor. We confirm the atomistic out-of-plane ordering of tungsten and titanium using computational and experimental characterizations. The tungsten-rich basal plane endows W2TiC2Tx MXene with a high electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction performance (∼144 mV overpotential at 10 mA cm−2). This study reports a tungsten-based MXene synthesized from a covalently bonded non-MAX precursor, adding to the synthetic strategies for 2D materials. 

As the demand for sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions grows, the integration of advanced nanomaterials has become a focal point in enhancing membrane technologies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the current state of research on Ti3C2Tx MXenes, highlighting their unique properties, the challenges they address, and the potential they hold for MXene-enhanced biofiltration-membrane systems. The perspective systematically examines how Ti3C2Tx MXenes, with their exceptional electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and tunable surface chemistry, can be integrated into biofiltration-membrane systems to improve key performance metrics such as water flux, contaminant rejection, and fouling resistance. Various processes, including biofiltration, adsorption, and nanofiltration, are discussed, where Ti3C2Tx MXenes have been shown to have a potential application. In addition to synthesizing existing literature, experimental validations are presented that demonstrate how MXene incorporation can alter membrane morphology and structure, leading to improved antibacterial properties and enhanced overall performance. These findings underscore the transformative potential of Ti3C2Tx MXenes in developing next-generation biofiltration-membrane technologies that are not only more efficient but also more sustainable. Through this perspective, the key challenges that remain, such as cost implications and long-term stability, are identified, and future research directions are proposed to address these issues. This in-depth analysis highlights the critical role MXenes can play in advancing water treatment technologies, particularly in the context of water reuse, and encourages further interdisciplinary research in this rapidly evolving field. 

Synovial joints, critical for limb biomechanics, rely on sophisticated lubrication systems to minimize wear. Disruptions, whether from injury or disease, often necessitate joint replacements. While additive manufacturing offers personalized implants, ensuring wear resistance remains a challenge. This study delves into the potential of Ti3C2Tx and Mo2TiC2Tx nanosheets in mitigating wear of additively manufactured cobalt-chromium tungsten alloy substrates when incorporated as additives into synovial fluid. The colloidal solutions demonstrate an excellent stability, a crucial factor for reproducible assays and potential clinical applicability. Analysis of contact angles and surface tensions reveals MXene-induced alterations in substrate wettability, while maintaining their general hydrophilic character. Viscosity analysis indicates that MXene addition reduces the dynamic viscosity, particularly at higher concentrations above 5 mg/mL, thus enhancing dispersion and lubrication properties. Friction and wear tests demonstrate a dependency on the MXene concentration, while Ti3C2Tx exhibits stable friction coefficients and up to 77 % wear reduction at 5 mg/mL, which was attributed to the formation of a wear-protecting tribo-film (amorphous carbon and MXene nano-sheets). Our findings suggest that Ti3C2Tx, when supplied in favorable concentrations, holds promise for reducing wear in biotribological applications, offering avenues for future research into optimizing MXene utilization in load-bearing joint replacements and other biomedical devices.