Microwave-assisted growth of Ag nanoparticles on Ti3CNTx MXene for antibacterial food packaging.

MXenes, particularly titanium-based carbides, have been extensively studied, while other compositions remain relatively unexplored. Ti3CNTx (carbonitrides) exhibit unique catalytic, optical, and electronic properties, yet their bioactivity is under-investigated. This study utilizes a microwave-assisted method to selectively etch aluminum from the Ti3AlCN MAX phase, producing multi-layered (ML) Ti3CNTx. In situ silver (Ag) nanoparticles are grown on these layers, forming Ag/Ti3CNTx MXene nanocomposites. Unlike conventional approaches using prolonged 48% HF treatments (24 h), this work employs a more efficient, safer, and time-effective method with 6 M HCl for just 4 hours. The antimicrobial potential of ML Ti3CNTx and Ag/Ti3CNTx is evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis) via bacterial growth curve analysis, revealing a 20% enhancement in antibacterial efficacy with Ag/Ti3CNTx. When incorporated into food packaging materials such as paper, these nanocomposites exhibit strong potential for biomedical and food safety applications. However, thorough market analyses and material safety evaluations are essential before commercial deployment.