Self-assembling SiC nanoflakes/MXenes composites embedded in polymers towards efficient electromagnetic wave attenuation

2D Ti3C2TX MXenes have attracted great interests in tackling the ever-increasing electromagnetic (EM) pollution due to their high electrical conductivity, tunable interlayer spacing, and relatively large surface area. However, some drawbacks, such as serious face-to-face restacking, poor thermal stability, and inferior impedance matching, significantly restricting their practical application as EM wave absorbents. In this work, Ti3C2TX/SiC hybrids with numerous hetero interfaces are synthesized by a self-assembly, subsequently embedded in poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrices via solution blending and hot-pressing route. With a merely 1.58 mm-thick Ti3C2TX/SiC/PVDF nanocomposite at an optimized weight ratio of Ti3C2TX to SiC (6:4), the absorption bandwidth as wide as 4.38 GHz is achieved and the RL value reaches -45.5 dB at 11.27 GHz. The excellent absorption capability is due to the enhanced coupling effect between low dielectric SiC nanoflakes (SiCnf) with MXenes, because the abundant 2D/2D interfaces formed between Ti3C2TX and SiC can efficiently enhance interfacial polarizations. Meanwhile, SiCnf assembled on the multiple layers of Ti3C2TX MXenes could greatly improve the impedance matching via weakening the conductive network. Our finding suggests that Ti3C2TX/SiC/PVDF composite utilizing superior 2D/2D hetero-interface properties offers a promising way for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption.

Automated summary

Ti3C2TX/SiC hybrids were synthesized with numerous hetero interfaces to enhance electromagnetic wave absorption, achieving a wide absorption bandwidth and high RL value. The superior 2D/2D hetero-interface properties improved interface polarizations and impedance matching, offering a promising way for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption.