In situ polymerization-intercalated polypyrrole/Ti3C2 MXene hybrids with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption and superior corrosion protection

Given the rapid advancements in digital and communication technology, electromagnetic wave pollution has emerged as a pressing concern for society. In addition, wave-absorbing materials are typically utilized in complex and dynamic environments, where they are susceptible to corrosion, which can result in a reduction in their effectiveness. Herein we synthesized a polypyrrole functionalized Ti 3 C 2 MXene (PPy-TM) hybrid with significant electromagnetic wave absorption and superior corrosion resistance by in situ polymerization method, which due to the in situ polymerization process of PPy on TM's surface causes the smoothness of TM's surface to turn coarse. The composite exhibited an optimal reflection loss of − 35.5 dB at 3.60 GHz for a 7.50 mm thickness. Additionally, the value of |Z| 0.01 Hz for PPy-TM 0.5% (5.1218 × 10 4  Ω cm 2 ) was an order of magnitude higher than the WEP (7.9778 × 10 3  Ω cm 2 ) coating after 30 days of exposure to 3.5 wt% NaCl electrolyte. This study establishes a benchmark for designing next-generation materials that integrate robust microwave absorption with long-term corrosion protection.