Embedment of hollow SiO2 spheres into flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework with decoration of carbon for efficient microwave absorption

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 960; p. 170724
• Main Authors: Wang, Sijia, Zhang, Ziying, Fan, Xuanxuan, Li, Yang, Zhang, Jun, Xue, Longlong, Xiong, Shisheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.10.2023
• Subjects: Flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework; M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids; Microwave absorption; SiO2 hollow spheres; Microwave absorption; Flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework; M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids; SiO2 hollow spheres
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.170724

With the advancement of modern microwave communication technologies, the development of lightweight absorption materials with high capacity and a wide absorption bandwidth has aroused great interest. Despite its low density, strong temperature resistance, high strength, and great electromagnetic energy storage capacity, SiO2 still has a long way to go in terms of efficiently dissipating microwaves due to its low polarization loss and conductive loss. Herein, the 3D sandwich-like M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids are synthesized by inserting SiO2 hollow spheres into the flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework and decorating with carbon. SiO2 hollow spheres securely attached on monolayer Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets provide large electromagnetic energy storage capacity as well as additional interfacial polarization. The 3D flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework and carbon coating ensure high conductive loss. The 3D sandwich-like M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids shows excellent microwave absorption performance. Under 40 wt% filler loadings, the 3D sandwich-like M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids deliver minimum reflection loss of − 43.97 dB at 4.5 mm thickness. At 1.5 mm thickness, their effective absorption band expands to 4.12 GHz. The facile and scalable synthesis strategy offers a novel design concept for the commercialization of high-performance microwave absorbers. [Display omitted] •3D sandwich-like M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and secondary annealing process.•SiO2 hollow spheres provided larger EM energy storage capacity and additional interfacial polarization.•3D flower-like Ti3C2Tx MXene framework and carbon coating provided high conductive loss.•3D sandwich-like M-Ti3C2Tx @SiO2 @C hybrids highlighted excellent microwave absorption performance.