The 15th Global Conference on Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE 2026)

Abstract: The growing demand for clean water and the increasing complexity of water contaminants have driven the search for advanced materials capable of enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of water treatment processes. MXenes, a rapidly expanding family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have attracted significant attention due to their high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, excellent hydrophilicity, and remarkable adsorption and separation capabilities. These unique characteristics position MXenes as promising candidates for a wide range of water treatment and desalination applications. This presentation highlights recent progress in the development and application of MXenes and MXene-based composites for the removal of emerging contaminants, desalination, membrane separation, adsorption, and advanced water purification systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on the structure-property relationships that govern their performance and the strategies employed to improve selectivity, stability, and operational efficiency. Despite their considerable potential, challenges related to large-scale synthesis, long-term stability, membrane fouling, environmental safety, and commercial deployment remain significant barriers to practical implementation. Current research gaps, technological limitations, and future opportunities will be discussed, providing insights into the pathways required to translate MXene-based technologies from laboratory research to real-world water treatment applications.

Keywords: MXenes, Water Treatment, Desalination, Membrane Technology, Emerging Contaminants, Sustainable Water Management.

Biography: Dr. Ihsanullah is an Associate Professor in the Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering at the University of Sharjah, UAE. His research focuses on desalination, water treatment, brine management, and environmental impact assessment, with particular emphasis on advanced materials for sustainable water and environmental technologies. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, presented at numerous international conferences, and holds four U.S. patents. His work has received over 12,000 citations with an h-index of 54, reflecting his strong scientific impact.

He has supervised several undergraduate and graduate students and served as an examiner for various theses. He is actively engaged in academic publishing, serving on editorial and reviewer boards and reviewing more than 600 manuscripts. Dr. Ihsanullah has contributed to major international conferences as a technical and organizing committee member and has participated in over 50 environmental consultancy projects. He has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing his research excellence.