Review—Towards 5th Generation AI and IoT Driven Sustainable Intelligent Sensors Based on 2D MXenes and Borophene

Sensors are considered to be an important vector for sustainable development. The demand to meet the needs of future generations is accelerating the development of intelligent sensor-systems integrated with internet of things (IoTs), fifth generation (5G) communication, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) strategies. The inclusion of 2D nanomaterials with the IoTs/AI/ML has revolutionized the diversified applications of sensors in healthcare, wearable electronics, safety, environment, defense, and agriculture. Owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics and surface functionalities, borophene and MXenes have emerged as advanced 2D-materials (A2M) to architect future-generation sensors. ML-AI based theoretical modeling has guided the research and development of A2M-sensors economically by reducing cost, human resources, and contamination. A2M-sensors are flexible, wearable, intelligent, biocompatible, portable, energy-efficient, self-sustained, point-of-care, and economical, which can drastically transform the conventional sensing strategies. This review provides an insight in to the state-of-the-art A2M-based physical, chemical, and biosensor to efficiently detect chemical species, gases/vapors, drugs, biomarkers/pathogens, pressure, metal ions, radiations, temperature, light, and humidity. Besides the fundamental challenges creating a gap between theoretical predictions, practical-evaluations, in-lab-technology, and commercial viability, their potential solutions, field-deployable prospects are addressed to realize commercialization, thereby ensuring ability of future generations to maintain sustainable communities.