Lateral size effect in Ti3C2Tx MXene as electromagnetic wave absorber

Abstract

Electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption is essential for protection against multi-frequency electromagnetic pollution and interference. Ideal EMW absorbing materials should be thin, lightweight, durable, and capable of operating across a broad frequency range through multiple absorption mechanisms. Ti3C2Tx MXene (TM), a 2D nanomaterial, has emerged as a promising EMW-absorbing candidate. However, the influence of lateral size on EMW absorption performance remains insufficiently explored. In this study, TM with controllable lateral dimensions was mass-produced using an organic solvent-assisted intercalation and collection (OAIC) method, enabling a systematic investigation of lateral size effect on EMW absorption. TM with a large lateral area (4.678 μm2) exhibited the highest absorption capacity, achieving an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.3 GHz and a reflection loss (RL) of −24.08 dB at a low filler loading of only 5%. Electromagnetic simulations further confirmed that this optimized sample can efficiently attenuate radar signals. The EMW absorption mechanisms influenced by lateral size, such as dipole polarization, interface polarization, and conduction loss, are systematically analyzed, offering valuable insights into the size-dependent behavior of MXene-based EMW absorbers.