The influence of thickness on the terahertz shielding performance of MXenes

The search for materials with high electromagnetic shielding efficiency represents a critically important aspect that promotes the integration of terahertz technologies into practical applications, which include both protection against the negative effects of electromagnetic fields and information protection. In this research we explore the possibility of using titanium carbide Ti3C2, one of the most prominent representatives of the MXene group, as a promising material for electromagnetic shielding. Experimentally measured signal transmission amplitudes for titanium carbide thin films (with thicknesses of 300, 700, and 1300 nm) at a frequency of 1 THz were 0.55, 0.25, and 0.08, respectively. This pronounced absorption of terahertz radiation provides shielding efficiency in the range of 7 to 27 dB, depending on the thickness. Furthermore, the low density of Ti3C2, approximately 2.4 g·cm³, makes this material promising for shielding tasks, as it achieves a high shielding effectiveness per unit density and thickness, equal to 2.4·104 dB/cm². The results of this study may be relevant to the development of components designed to protect against electromagnetic interference, which are ideally suited for the design and production of modern terahertz devices, including highly sensitive detectors.