X-ray radio-enhancement by Ti3_{3}C2_{2}Tx_{x} MXenes in soft tissue sarcoma

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment. However, due to the low tissue specificity of ionizing radiation, damage to the surrounding healthy tissue of the tumor remains a significant challenge. In recent years, radio-enhancers based on inorganic nanomaterials have gained considerable interest. Beyond the widely explored metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, 2D materials, such as MXenes, could present potential benefits because of their inherently large specific surface area. In this study, we highlight the promising radio-enhancement properties of Ti$_{3}$C$_{2}$T$_{x}$ MXenes. We demonstrate that atomically thin layers of titanium carbides (Ti$_{3}$C$_{2}$T$_{x}$ MXenes) are efficiently internalized and well-tolerated by mammalian cells. Contrary to MXenes suspended in aqueous buffers, which fully oxidize within days, yielding rice-grain shaped rutile nanoparticles, the MXenes internalized by cells oxidize at a slower rate. This is consistent with cell-free experiments that have shown slower oxidation rates in cell media and lysosomal buffers compared to dispersants without antioxidants. Importantly, the MXenes exhibit robust radio-enhancement properties, with dose enhancement factors reaching up to 2.5 in human soft tissue sarcoma cells, while showing no toxicity to healthy human fibroblasts. When compared to oxidized MXenes and commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the intact 2D titanium carbide flakes display superior radio-enhancement properties. In summary, our findings offer evidence for the potent radio-enhancement capabilities of Ti$_{3}$C$_{2}$T$_{x}$ MXenes, marking them as a promising candidate for enhancing radiotherapy

Radiotherapy Enhancement by Ti3C2Tx MXenes

Radiotherapy is an integral part of cancer therapy. Due to the low tissue specificity of radiation, damage to tumor-surrounding healthy tissue remains a major concern. Radio-enhancers based on inorganic nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention in recent years. In addition to widely exploited metal and metal oxides nanoparticles, 2D materials may offer potential advantages due to their intrinsically high specific surface area. Here, we report on the promising radio-enhancement properties of Ti3C2Tx MXenes. We show that Ti3C2Tx MXenes are readily internalized and well-tolerated by mammalian cells. In contrast to MXenes suspended in aqueous buffers which fully oxidize within days (yielding rice-grain shaped rutile nanoparticles), MXenes internalized by cells display slower oxidation rates, in line with cell-free experiments showing slower oxidation in cell media and lysosomal buffers compared to antioxidant-devoid dispersants. The MXenes show potent radio-enhancement properties with dose enhancement factors of up to 2.5 in human soft tissue sarcoma cells and no toxicity towards healthy human fibroblasts. Benchmarking against oxidized MXenes and commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles indicates superior radio-enhancement properties of the intact 2D titanium carbide flakes. Taken together, this work provides direct evidence for the potent radio-enhancement properties of Ti3C2Tx MXenes rendering them a promising candidate material for radiotherapy enhancement.ISSN:2573-229

X-ray radio-enhancement by Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes in soft tissue sarcoma

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment. However, due to the low tissue specificity of ionizing radiation, damage to the surrounding healthy tissue of the tumor remains a significant challenge. In recent years, radio-enhancers based on inorganic nanomaterials have gained considerable interest. Beyond the widely explored metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, 2D materials, such as MXenes, could present potential benefits because of their inherently large specific surface area. In this study, we highlight the promising radio-enhancement properties of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes. We demonstrate that atomically thin layers of titanium carbides (Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes) are efficiently internalized and well-tolerated by mammalian cells. Contrary to MXenes suspended in aqueous buffers, which fully oxidize within days, yielding rice-grain shaped rutile nanoparticles, the MXenes internalized by cells oxidize at a slower rate. This is consistent with cell-free experiments that have shown slower oxidation rates in cell media and lysosomal buffers compared to dispersants without antioxidants. Importantly, the MXenes exhibit robust radio-enhancement properties, with dose enhancement factors reaching up to 2.5 in human soft tissue sarcoma cells, while showing no toxicity to healthy human fibroblasts. When compared to oxidized MXenes and commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the intact 2D titanium carbide flakes display superior radio-enhancement properties. In summary, our findings offer evidence for the potent radio-enhancement capabilities of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes, marking them as a promising candidate for enhancing radiotherapy.ISSN:2047-4830ISSN:2047-484

Understanding the effects of transition metal intercalation on electronic and electrochemical properties of Ti3C2Tx MXene

MXenes are 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and/or carbonitrides, capable of intercalation by various cations through chemical or electrochemical means. Previous research has primarily focused on intercalating alkaline and alkaline earth cations, such as Li+, K+, Na+, Mg2+ or alkylammonium cations, into Ti3C2Tx MXenes. However, the impact of intercalated transition metal (TM) ions on the electronic and electrochemical properties of MXenes remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of pre-intercalated Cu ions on Ti3C2Tx MXenes and vice versa to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the electronic and electrochemical properties of both intercalated TM ion and MXene host are altered. Using in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we reveal changes in the oxidation states of intercalated Cu ions and Ti atoms during charging and their corresponding role in charge storage mechanisms. Our findings show that electronic coupling between Ti3C2Tx and Cu ions results in modified electrochemical and electronic properties compared to pristine Ti3C2Tx. These insights lay the foundation for the rational design and utilization of TM ion intercalants to tailor the properties of MXenes for various electrochemical systems and beyond

Radiotherapy Enhancement by Ti3C2Tx MXenes

Radiotherapy is an integral part of cancer therapy. Due to the low tissue specificity of radiation, damage to tumor-surrounding healthy tissue remains a major concern. Radio-enhancers based on inorganic nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention in recent years. In addition to widely exploited metal and metal oxides nanoparticles, 2D materials may offer potential advantages due to their intrinsically high specific surface area. Here, we report on the promising radio-enhancement properties of Ti3C2Tx MXenes. We show that Ti3C2Tx MXenes are readily internalized and well-tolerated by mammalian cells. In contrast to MXenes suspended in aqueous buffers which fully oxidize within days (yielding rice-grain shaped rutile nanoparticles), MXenes internalized by cells display slower oxidation rates, in line with cell-free experiments showing slower oxidation in cell media and lysosomal buffers compared to antioxidant-devoid dispersants. The MXenes show potent radio-enhancement properties with dose enhancement factors of up to 2.5 in human soft tissue sarcoma cells and no toxicity towards healthy human fibroblasts. Benchmarking against oxidized MXenes and commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles indicates superior radio-enhancement properties of the intact 2D titanium carbide flakes. Taken together, this work provides direct evidence for the potent radio-enhancement properties of Ti3C2Tx MXenes rendering them a promising candidate material for radiotherapy enhancement

What About Manganese? Toward Rocking Chair Aqueous Mn-Ion Batteries

The emerging interest in aqueous rechargeable batteries has led to significant progress in the development of next-generation electrolytes and electrode materials enabling reversible and stable insertion of various multivalent ions into the electrode's bulk. Yet, despite its abundance, high salt solubility, and small ionic radius, the use of manganese ions for energy storage purposes has not received sufficient attention. Herein, we present the use of Mo6S8 (Chevrel phase) as an anode for Mn2+ insertion. By careful optimization of the electrolyte solution, high-capacity values exceeding 90 mAh/g and long-term stability (more than 1500 cycles) have been obtained. Based on in situ XRD analysis, the charging mechanism and the associated structural changes occurring during Mn2+ insertion have been carefully studied. Finally, we demonstrate for the first time a rocking chair aqueous Mn-ion battery comprising a Chevrel anode and NiHCF cathode.ISSN:2380-819