Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Cr2ctx Mxene

Student: Saviour Ilemona Haruna (Project, 2025)
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Kaduna State

Abstract

The growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance necessitates novel antibacterial agents. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of Cr₂CₓTₓ MXene. The MXene was synthesized via chemical etching and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). SEM analysis confirmed a layered sheet-like morphology with a high fluorine content (87.10%) as determined by EDS. XRD analysis revealed the presence of anorthite (70%), quartz (13%), and alumogenite (4%) phases alongside the primary MXene structure. Antibacterial susceptibility tests using the agar disc diffusion method demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. Against Escherichia coli, inhibition zones of 39 mm (100 mg/mL), 26 mm (50 mg/mL), and 25 mm (25 mg/mL) were recorded. For Staphylococcus aureus, inhibition zones were 8.5 mm (100 mg/mL), 7 mm (50 mg/mL), and 25 mm (25 mg/mL). These results suggest that Cr₂CₓTₓ MXene exhibits greater antimicrobial efficacy against gram-negative bacteria. The study highlights the potential of MXene as an alternative antimicrobial agent and calls for further research into its stability, toxicity, and real-world applications.

Keywords
mxene antimicrobial inhibition synthesis characterization activity antibacterial analysis against zones
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