High-performance microwave absorber of CoFe₂O₄/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_X via heterostructures synergistic design

To develop microwave absorbers that are thin, lightweight, broad in range, and exhibit high-performance absorption capabilities, it is essential to manage both the composition and the design of the absorbers’ microstructure. The innovative 2D MXene material has garnered significant interest due to its unique layered structure and high specific surface area. In this work, hydrothermal and electrostatic self-assembly methods were employed to create a high-performance absorber. The process involved applying single-layer Ti₃C₂T_X MXene, introducing CoFe₂O₄ magnetic nanospheres and 1 T/2H MoS₂ nanoflowers to prepare a three-dimensional CoFe₂O₄/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_X (CMT) nanocomposite. By fully utilizing the excellent magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ and the heterogeneous interface of 1 T/2H MoS₂, multiple polarization interfaces were formed, resulting in interfacial polarization loss. Additionally, synthesizing 1 T/2H MoS₂ into a flower-like structure enhanced the material's loss capability through multiple reflections. This distinctive ternary heterostructure exhibited outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption properties. An effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.52 GHz, spanning 11.2–16.72 GHz, was obtained at a thickness of 2.16 mm, covering a significant portion of the Ku band and part of the X band. Moreover, radar cross-section (RCS) simulations were conducted to further verify the material's electromagnetic absorption capability. This study offers important perspectives on optimizing the structure and improving the performance of innovation MXene-based absorbers.