Hybrid graphene vanadium dioxide 2 MXene metamaterials enable ultra wideband THz absorption for 6G transceivers addressing atmospheric attenuation

As sixth-generation (6G) communication systems push into the terahertz (THz) frequency range, challenges like high path loss and atmospheric attenuation hinder performance. Their tunable nature and broad absorption characteristics make them strong candidates for real-world transceiver applications. The realization of sixth-generation (6G) terahertz (THz) communications is impeded by severe free-space path loss and atmospheric attenuation. This study explores material-based absorber designs to mitigate these issues. Advanced THz absorber structures incorporating graphene, vanadium dioxide (VO₂), and MXenes were modelled and simulated. We investigated their absorption properties, tunability, and suitability for dynamic 6G environments. Simulations demonstrated that graphene and VO₂ absorbers and Combining with MXenes achieved peak absorptance of > 90% across 2.06–6.36 THz. VO₂-based designs exceeded 99% absorptance, while hybrid configurations enhanced bandwidth and directivity (up to 17.5 dB) and combining all three up to 92%. Combined VO₂ angular stability up to 40° and polarization independence. VO₂-driven designs exploit conductivity modulation and optimized refractive indices to achieve near-perfect absorptance (> 99%) in 2.414–5.417 THz, coupled with high directivity (17.5 dB) and a narrow beam width (24°). Hybrid architectures synergize these materials, enabling multi-band operation spanning THz to mid-infrared regimes, which establishes a paradigm for adaptive metamaterials, that directly mitigate propagation losses in 6G networks.