Sains Malaysiana 54(7)(2025): 1813-1821

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5407-14

Resin-Mxene Composite for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications
(Komposit Resin-Mxene untuk Aplikasi Perisai Elektromagnet)

AZKA REHMAN¹, NUR AZREEN AZHAR¹, HUDA A MAJID², HERDAWATIE ABDUL KADIR³ & FAHMIRUDDIN ESA^1,*

¹Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Higher Education Hub, KM 1, Jalan Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
²Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Higher Education Hub, KM 1, Jalan Panchor, 84600 Panchor, Johor, Malaysia
³Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 17 Februari 2025/Diterima: 16 Mei 2025

Abstract

The growing demand for advanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials has driven the development of lightweight high-performance solutions for modern electronics. In this study, Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene was synthesized via selective etching of the Mo₂Ti₂AlC₃ MAX phase using hydrofluoric acid (HF) at concentrations of 6M and 9M. The synthesized MXene was then incorporated into a resin matrix to fabricate MXene-based composites with varying filler loadings of 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 5 wt.% for EMI shielding applications. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that 9M HF etching resulted in higher surface functionalization, with pronounced –OH, –O, and –F terminations, which enhanced electrical conductivity. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed a morphological transition from a compact MAX phase to a characteristic stacked lamellar MXene structure, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) validated the complete removal of aluminum. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the incorporation of 3 wt.% MXene into the resin matrix yielded the highest crystallinity, suggesting strong interfacial interactions. Reflection coefficient (S11) measurements in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) showed that a higher MXene content enhanced wave reflection, improving EMI shielding. The 3 wt.% MXene composite achieved optimal performance by balancing reflection and absorption, minimizing transmitted interference. These findings demonstrate that the 9M HF-etched Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene with 3 wt.% filler loading provides the best balance of electrical conductivity, structural stability, and EMI shielding effectiveness, making it a promising candidate for next-generation electronic and communication applications.

Keywords: EMI shielding; HF etching; Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene; reflection coefficient

 

Abstrak

Permintaan yang semakin meningkat untuk bahan perisai gangguan elektromagnet termaju (EMI) telah mendorong pembangunan penyelesaian berprestasi tinggi ringan untuk elektronik moden. Dalam kajian ini, Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene telah disintesis melalui punaran terpilih fasa MAX Mo₂Ti₂AlC₃ menggunakan asid hidrofluorik (HF) pada kepekatan 6M dan 9M. MXene yang disintesis kemudiannya digabungkan ke dalam matriks resin untuk menghasilkan komposit berasaskan MXene dengan beban pengisi yang berbeza-beza 1 %bt., 3 %bt. dan 5 %bt. untuk aplikasi pelindung EMI. Spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR) mengesahkan bahawa punaran HF 9M menghasilkan kefungsian permukaan yang lebih tinggi dengan penamatan –OH, –O dan –F yang disebut, yang meningkatkan kekonduksian elektrik. Mikroskopi elektron pengimbasan pelepasan medan (FESEM) mendedahkan peralihan morfologi daripada fasa MAX padat kepada struktur bertindan ciri MXene lamelar, manakala spektroskopi sinar-X (EDX) penyebaran tenaga mengesahkan penyingkiran lengkap aluminium. Analisis pembelauan sinar-X (XRD) menunjukkan bahawa penggabungan 3 wt.% MXene ke dalam matriks resin menghasilkan kehabluran tertinggi, mencadangkan interaksi antara muka yang kuat. Pengukuran pekali pantulan (S11) dalam jalur X (8.2-12.4 GHz) menunjukkan bahawa kandungan MXene yang lebih tinggi meningkatkan pantulan gelombang, meningkatkan perisai EMI. Komposit MXene 3 wt.% mencapai prestasi optimum dengan mengimbangi pantulan dan penyerapan, meminimumkan gangguan yang dihantar. Penemuan ini menunjukkan bahawa MXene Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene 9M HF dengan pemuatan pengisi 3 wt.% memberikan keseimbangan terbaik kekonduksian elektrik, kestabilan struktur dan keberkesanan perisai EMI, menjadikannya calon yang berpotensi untuk aplikasi elektronik dan komunikasi generasi akan datang.

Kata kunci: Mo₂Ti₂C₃ MXene; pekali pantulan; perisai EMI; punaran HF

 

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: fahmir@uthm.edu.my