POS7-1369
Lightweight, Surface-Engineered MXene/TPU Composites for Paintable Microwave Absorbers with Environmental Durability
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Hyun Seong Yang (Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
The rapid advancement of wireless communication technologies and highly integrated electronics urgently demands electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers to facilitate reliable device operation. In particular, urban air mobility (UAM), aerospace, and military applications require lightweight and paintable EMW absorbers with environmental stability to ensure consistent system performance.
Recently, Ti3C2Tx MXene, a representative member of the two-dimensional material family, has emerged as a promising EMW-absorbing material due to its outstanding electrical conductivity and dielectric properties, particularly when incorporated into polymeric matrices. However, the hydrophilic surface terminations on MXene surface restrict its applicability across various industrial fields, as they lead to unstable dispersion in organic solvents and polymers. Therefore, surface engineering to enable stable dispersion of MXene in organic solvents is essential for achieving high-performance EMW absorption even at a low filler content.
In this study, 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) was introduced onto the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene via palladium coordination bonds to enhance its dispersibility in organic solvents and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The resulting BINOL functionalized MXene (BMX)/TPU composites achieved a reflection of -34.1 dB at 8.8 GHz with a thickness of 1.9 mm, at a filler loading of only 3 wt. %, with this absorption performance maintained even after 150 days. Furthermore, the BMX/TPU paint exhibited an adhesive strength of 1,450 J/m2, demonstrating excellent coating performance on objects with complex geometries via a simple dip-coating process. This work provides a promising strategy for designing paintable and lightweight EMW absorbers with durable absorption performance, paving the way for next-generation electromagnetic management technologies.
Recently, Ti3C2Tx MXene, a representative member of the two-dimensional material family, has emerged as a promising EMW-absorbing material due to its outstanding electrical conductivity and dielectric properties, particularly when incorporated into polymeric matrices. However, the hydrophilic surface terminations on MXene surface restrict its applicability across various industrial fields, as they lead to unstable dispersion in organic solvents and polymers. Therefore, surface engineering to enable stable dispersion of MXene in organic solvents is essential for achieving high-performance EMW absorption even at a low filler content.
In this study, 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) was introduced onto the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene via palladium coordination bonds to enhance its dispersibility in organic solvents and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The resulting BINOL functionalized MXene (BMX)/TPU composites achieved a reflection of -34.1 dB at 8.8 GHz with a thickness of 1.9 mm, at a filler loading of only 3 wt. %, with this absorption performance maintained even after 150 days. Furthermore, the BMX/TPU paint exhibited an adhesive strength of 1,450 J/m2, demonstrating excellent coating performance on objects with complex geometries via a simple dip-coating process. This work provides a promising strategy for designing paintable and lightweight EMW absorbers with durable absorption performance, paving the way for next-generation electromagnetic management technologies.
