Preparation, Design, and Applications of MXene-Based Microwave Absorbing Composites

Abstract

With the rapid development of 5G/6G wireless communication technology, the issue of electromagnetic radiation pollution has become increasingly severe. The development of lightweight, thin, wideband, and high-efficiency microwave absorbing materials has become a major research focus. Transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXene), a class of two-dimensional materials, have garnered widespread research interest in electromagnetic wave absorption, benefiting from their high surface-to-volume ratio, superior metallic conductivity, and adjustable surface characteristics. This work provides a systematic review of the development of MXene fabrication methods, ranging from traditional fluorine-containing etching to eco-friendly fluorine-free routes, and elaborates on strategies to address impedance mismatch via covalent and non-covalent surface functionalization for tuning surface groups. The design strategies of two major optimization systems, namely magnetic material hybridization and dielectric material hybridization, are emphatically summarized. In addition, this paper summarizes the application status of in the fields of infrared stealth, thermal management, and supercapacitors, and analyzes the key issues existing in the current material systems. This review aims to provide a reference for the design and development of next-generation high-efficiency and intelligent MXene-based microwave absorbing devices, and points out that large-scale green preparation, enhanced oxidation resistance stability, and low-cost fabrication are the core research directions in the future.