Microwave absorption properties and electromagnetic characteristics of MoS₂/MXene sandwich composites

This study presents the synthesis of a novel sandwich-structured MoS₂/MXene composite, fabricated using an etching and hydrothermal approach with Ti₃AlC₂ (MAX phase), sodium molybdate, and thioacetamide as precursors. The composite's phase composition, microstructure, and microwave absorption properties were comprehensively investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a vector network analyzer. Notably, the MoS₂/MXene composite exhibits a unique sandwich morphology that significantly enhances its microwave absorption performance when compared to the individual MoS₂ or MXene components. This enhancement is particularly evident in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz. The composite achieved a remarkable minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of −46.64 dB at a thickness of 3.0 mm. Additionally, bandwidths with RL < −10 dB were observed across varying thicknesses: 1.54 GHz (at 2.5 mm, spanning from 10.86 GHz to 12.4 GHz), 3.41 GHz (at 3.0 mm, ranging from 8.99 GHz to 12.4 GHz), and 2.66 GHz (at 3.5 mm, covering 8.2 GHz–10.86 GHz). Moreover, integrating a frequency-selective surface layer into electromagnetic simulations further boosted the absorption bandwidth, achieving a broadened range of 3.06 GHz at a reduced thickness of 2 mm (from 9.34 GHz to 12.4 GHz). These results highlight the potential of the MoS₂/MXene composite as a highly efficient material for electromagnetic wave absorption, offering insights into the impact of structural design on performance optimization.