Abstract: The antimicrobial agent includes at least one two-dimensional metal carbide layer. The two-dimensional metal carbide has the formula Tin+1CnTx, where T represents a terminal functional group and x represents the number of terminal functional groups. The two-dimensional metal carbide is preferably Ti3C2Tx. The terminating group may be oxygen, hydroxide (OH), fluorine or combinations thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be used as a two-dimensional metal carbide antimicrobial membrane (10) or filter for removal of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and B. subtilis. A stack of two-dimensional metal carbide layers (14) may be supported on a polymer filter substrate (12), such as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) supporting substrate.

Abstract: The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane includes a stack of two-dimensional metal carbide layers. A two-dimensional metal carbide included in the two-dimensional metal carbide layers may have the formula Ti3C2Tx, where T represents a terminating functional group, and x represents a number of the terminating functional groups. The terminating group may be oxygen, hydroxide (OH), fluorine or combinations thereof. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane includes nano-channels which are selectively permeable to ions. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane is selectivity permeable to a number of different cations, including Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+ and Al3+, with counter Cl? anions. Permeation rates depend on the charges of the cations and the ions' hydrated radius, with a critical point around 4.0 ?. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membranes can be used as desalination and/or water filtration membranes.