Enhanced microwave absorption of superlattice C-CuS/MXene composites with rich heterogeneous interfaces and conductive network synergies

Abstract

Improving interfacial polarization and enhancing conductive losses have become two important ways to achieve high electromagnetic wave absorption performance in dielectric materials. However, relying on a single loss mechanism to attain efficient electromagnetic wave absorption performance is challenging. Consequently, a composite material that leverages multiple loss mechanisms must be devised. Here, we introduce a superlattice C-CuS and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) composite that facilitates excellent interfacial polarization and conductive loss capability simultaneously. The superlattice structure harbors an abundance of heterogeneous interfaces on the molecular level, resulting in significant improvements in polarization losses. The introduction of MXene facilitates the formation of conductive networks and enhances the conductive loss, thus improving the electromagnetic wave absorption performance. As a result, C-CuS/MXene shows an ultra-efficient electromagnetic wave absorption performance with effective absorption bandwidth of 5.12 GHz at only 1.6 mm. This work has inspired the rational design of micro/nanostructures for a new generation of electromagnetic wave absorbing materials.