In situ growing CNTs/TiO2 heterojunction on MXene sheets for enhanced microwave absorption via multiple electron transfer paths and polarization.

The novel two-dimensional Ti 3 C 2 T x material exhibits great potential for microwave absorption owing to its 2D layered graphene-like structure and unique physical properties. However, the limited release of absorbing properties due to the low dielectric loss of Ti 3 C 2 T x and its single loss mechanism pose challenges in meeting the functional requirements for microwave absorbers. Herein, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on the Ti 3 C 2 T x substrates in a tip growth mode under the catalytic influence of Ni using the in situ induced method. Consequently, Ti 3 C 2 T x /CNTs/TiO 2 (TCT) structures were successfully prepared through carbonization conditions. It is worth noting that the composite material TCT-800 exhibits excellent absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RL min) value reaches −44.6 dB when the matching thickness is only 1.4 mm, and the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL < −10 dB) spans from 11.9 GHz to 15.9 GHz, totaling a range of 4.2 GHz. The excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance of TCT-800 composites is attributed to the polarization phenomenon of more heterogeneous interfaces constructed by Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets, CNTs, and TiO 2 nanoparticles. This work provides a strategy for synthesizing Ti 3 C 2 T x -based composites with strong electromagnetic attenuation and wide absorption bandwidth performance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]