Recent progress in the design and fabrication of MXene-based membranes

Two-dimensional membranes have attracted significant attention due to their superior characteristics, and their ability to boost both flux and selectivity have led to their reputation as potential next-generation separation membranes. Among them, emerging MXene-based membranes play significant roles in the competitive membrane-separation field. In this mini-review, we systematically discuss the assembly and separation mechanisms of these membranes. Moreover, we highlight strategies based on the crosslinking of MXene nanosheets and the construction of additional nanochannels that further enhance the permeabilities and anti-swelling properties of MXene-based membranes and meet the requirements of practical applications, such as gas-molecule sieving, ion sieving, and other small-molecule sieving. MXene nanosheets can also be used as additives that introduce specific functionalities into hybrid membranes. In addition, extended applications that use MXenes as scaffolds are also discussed.