Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes as thin broadband absorbers

Atomically multilayered two-dimensional transition-metal carbides have abundant interfaces, and are very promising as outstanding electromagnetic absorbing materials at thin thickness. Here, a Ti₃C₂T_x MXene was prepared by hydrofluoric acid etching method, and has typical multilayered morphology with stacks of nanosheets. The microwave dielectric behaviours of the Ti₃C₂T_x with efficient microwave absorption were investigated. The Ti₃C₂T_x presents good impedance matching, achieved with effective absorption bandwidth covering from 12.4 GHz to 17.1 GHz, with thickness of only 1.5 mm, which nearly covers the whole Ku band. The microwave absorption performance was adjusted, and the Ti₃C₂T_x has a minimum reflection loss of −34.4 dB at 12 GHz at only 1.7 mm. This study demonstrates the real potential of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene materials as electromagnetic wave thin broadband absorbers. (paper)