In situ Growth of Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles on MXene as High Performance Electromagnetic Wave Absorber in X-Band

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2025.064

Abstract

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene sheets - a two-dimensional material with large surface area and high conductivity – show promise in electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption, however, achieving strong and efficient absorption of electromagnetic waves in the X-band region still faces many challenges. Here, nickel ferrite nanoparticles were grown in situ on the surface and introduced into the interlayers of MXene sheets through a facile co-precipitation combined with heat-reduction . Interestingly, the minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of the NiFe₂O₄/MXene composite was -13.3 dB, indicating much stronger EMW absorption properties than pure MXene nanosheets (RL_min = -7.03 dB) at the same loading. The presence of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles primarily accounts for the prevention of MXene nanosheets from self-stacking, thereby enhancing conduction loss.. In addition, the presence of MXene promotes the growth and organization of nickel ferrite nanoparticles, resulting in enhanced crystal structure and surface effect between nanoparticles and MXene sheets throughout the composite. More importantly, the magnetic loss generated by the magnetic NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles is beneficial for good impedance matching, allowing more EMW to enter the composite for dissipation. This study opens up a promising approach to enhance the absorption properties of X-band electromagnetic waves.