Quantitative magnetic alignment of Ti3C2Tx MXene for enhanced microwave absorption and terahertz shielding

Achieving precise orientation control of two-dimensional (2D) materials remains a significant challenge for tailoring their electromagnetic functionalities. Herein, we report, for the first time, the successful fabrication of in-plane oriented Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene/epoxy (EP) composites via a high-intensity horizontal-rotating magnetic field. By systematically varying the magnetic field intensity from 0 to 6 T, the orientation degree of Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets can be continuously and precisely tuned, reaching a remarkably high value of 0.74. This process establishes a direct and quantitative correlation between the magnetic field strength and the resulting structural alignment. The magnetically induced orientation leads to a dramatic enhancement in key electromagnetic parameters, including complex permittivity, electrical conductivity, attenuation constant, and impedance optimization, all of which exhibit quantifiable relationships with the applied field. Consequently, this controlled alignment translates into extraordinary functional performance. The optimally aligned composite demonstrates a remarkable 5-fold improvement in GHz microwave absorption and a significant 44.9% enhancement in THz shielding efficiency compared to its non-oriented counterpart. This work pioneers a magnetic-field strategy to manipulate 2D microstructure, establishing quantitative structure-property relationships and paving the way for next-generation electromagnetic absorption and shielding composites.