A competitive strategy toward 1 T/2H MoS2 to balance impedance for optimizing electromagnetic wave absorption

Interface engineering and phase engineering play crucial roles in enhancing the design and development of advanced electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers. However, there is a lack of focus on designing phase structures and interfaces from a microscopic perspective to adjust impedance matching and EMW absorption. This study introduced a competitive strategy involving 1 T/2H MoS2. The phase structure and composition of MoS2 were controlled using a microwave hydrothermal method. By creating a diverse phase interface within the material in the form of 1 T/2H, a balance between conduction loss and polarization loss was achieved, leading to improved EMW absorption through enhanced impedance matching. The results indicated that the incorporation of the 1 T phase boosted the electron transfer capability of MoS2, increasing conduction loss. The 1 T/2H phase interface enhanced interface polarization, thereby amplifying polarization loss. At a thickness of 2.8 mm, the absorber demonstrated a minimum reflection loss of −64.9 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.6 GHz. In far-field conditions, the maximum radar cross-section (RCS) of the 1 T/2H phase MoS2 nanoflowers was −27.5 dBm2. This study elucidates the relationship between 1 T/2H phase MoS2 content and phase interfaces with impedance matching, offering a novel approach for developing high-performance MoS2-based EMW absorbing materials.