Lightweight MXene/polyimide aerogel composites for high-performance of electromagnetic wave absorption

Waras Abdul, Xinyi Zhao, Wenbiao Liu, Yukun Sun, Jiang Guo*, Wenling Wu, Zhanhu Guo, Jianfeng Zhu*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The rise in electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution demands the advancement of cutting-edge microwave absorption materials to shield both environmental and technological systems. Considering this, a novel non-magnetic, light-weight Ti3C2Tx MXene/Polyimide (MXPI) aerogel composites were synthesized via simple freeze-drying method, where PI functions as an anchor for the MXene layers, preventing their tendency to self-stack and fostering improved interactions between the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. The MXPI aerogel demonstrated exceptional EMW absorption performance. The MXPI-25 % sample exhibited optimal performance at a thickness of 5.24 mm, achieving an optimum reflection loss (RL) of −64.70 dB at 13.92 GHz, along with an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 1.04 GHz. The principles of microwave absorption in light-weight MXPI aerogels were thoroughly explored from both the chemical composition and physical structure perspectives. The enhanced absorption performance can be primarily attributed to the synergistic effects of conduction loss and multiple polarization relaxation processes. Furthermore, the porous architecture of the aerogel, combined with the incorporation of MXene sheets, facilitates improved impedance matching and more effective attenuation of EMWs. This study provides significant contributions to the field of lightweight and efficient microwave-absorbing materials, with potential applications in reducing EM interference and enhancing radar stealth capabilities.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number112942
    Pages (from-to)1-13
    Number of pages13
    JournalMaterials Today Communications
    Volume46
    Early online date27 May 2025
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2025

    Keywords

    • Electromagnetic wave absorption
    • MXene
    • Polyimide

    Cite this