‘Reinforced concrete’ architecture enables strong composites with superior electromagnetic wave absorption

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Credit: HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS

With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies, electromagnetic radiation pollution has become a growing concern. This highlights an urgent need for high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbing (EWA) materials that are lightweight, broadband, well impedance-matched, and mechanically robust. However, achieving both superior absorption and high mechanical strength in a single material remains challenging. Although Ti3C2Tx MXene shows promise due to its layered structure and electrical properties, its high reflectivity, low absorption, and brittleness limit its application.
Inspired by the “reinforced concrete” concept, this study proposes a novel composite design. Core-shell structured CF@PANI acts as the “reinforcement”, while a micro-layered Fe3O4/PDA/Ti3C2Tx serves as the “concrete” matrix. These components are integrated through a combined method of in-situ polymerization, mineralization, and electrostatic self-assembly, driven by charge attraction and hydrogen bonding.
Structural characterization confirmed the successful formation of the core-shell CF@PANI and its uniform composite with Fe3O4/PDA/Ti3C2Tx at an optimal ratio, creating a hierarchical porous structure with multiple heterogeneous interfaces. The composite with a CF@PANI to Fe3O4/PDA/Ti3C2Tx mass ratio of 0.75 (CPFT-0.75) demonstrated exceptional EMW absorption: a minimum reflection loss of −37.34 dB at 13.76 GHz with a thickness of only 1.5 mm, an effective absorption bandwidth of 3.28 GHz, and near-perfect impedance matching. This performance stems from synergistic interfacial polarization, conductive loss, magnetic loss, and multiple scattering. Furthermore, the “reinforced concrete” structure effectively toughened the material. The CPFT-1.0 sample exhibited a balanced rigidity and toughness, with a Young’s modulus of 20.8 MPa, tensile strength of 3.63 MPa, and fracture elongation of 10.98 %. This work provides a viable strategy for designing lightweight, high-performance, and mechanically robust EWA materials by biomimetic structural design.
The work titled “Strengthening of Fe3O4/Ti3C2Tx MXene/CF@PANI composites with ‘reinforced concrete’ structure and high electromagnetic wave absorption performance”, was published on Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica (published on January 24, 2026).
 

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Journal

Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Strengthening of Fe3O4/Ti3C2Tx MXene/CF@PANI composites with ‘reinforced concrete’ structure and high electromagnetic wave absorption performance