Microscopic and macroscopic structural strategies for enhancing microwave absorption in MXene-Based composites

Microwave absorption materials (MAMs) play a crucial role in mitigating electromagnetic pollution and enhancing communication technology. MXenes, a family of two-dimensional materials, have emerged as promising candidates for MAMs due to their unique layered structure, large surface area, abundant defects, and high electrical conductivity. However, the poor impedance matching of MXene poses a challenge for effective absorption. This review comprehensively discusses strategies for optimizing MXene-based MAMs through microstructure and macrostructure design. In two-dimensional microstructures, strong absorption is primarily achieved by self-transformation MXene and introducing other components to expand layer spacing and enhance dielectric/magnetic losses. In 3D microstructures, MXene serves as a framework and additive to create diverse geometrical frameworks such as porous, hollow, and hierarchical structures, optimizing electromagnetic properties. Additionally, MXene-based aerogels, foams, and films developed through 3D macrostructural design offer greater flexibility for performance tuning and multifunctional design. Therefore, this review may provide guidance for the structural design of MXene-based MAMs.