SUWON/JEONJU – A South Korean joint research team has announced a landmark achievement in the development of MXene, a next-generation two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial often dubbed a "dream material" for its exceptional electrical conductivity.

A collaborative team led by Professors Kwon Han-jung of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) and Koo Jong-min of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) has successfully developed a manufacturing technique that drastically enhances the performance and stability of MXene. The findings were recently published in the prestigious scientific journal Nano-Micro Letters (Impact Factor: 36.3).

While MXene consists of alternating layers of metal and carbon atoms, its practical application has long been hindered by "defects" during the synthesis process—specifically atomic-scale vacancies and unwanted oxygen bonding. These flaws lead to rapid degradation and oxidation when exposed to air or water.

To overcome these hurdles, the team utilized a "Precursor-Based Defect Engineering" strategy. By precisely controlling the material from its initial precursor stage, they minimized atomic defects, effectively "tightening the fabric" of the material at the molecular level.

The resulting MXene demonstrated a world-class electrical conductivity of 26,000S/cm and a thermal conductivity of 57W/m·K. Notably, at a thickness of just 10 micrometers, the material achieved an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of 90.5dB, a level capable of protecting the most sensitive telecommunications equipment.

Furthermore, the new MXene showed remarkable potential for defense and energy applications:

Infrared Stealth: The material can manipulate radiation temperatures to evade infrared detection.
Joule Heating: It reached temperatures of 263C in seconds under a low voltage of just 1.5V.
Long-term Stability: Unlike conventional MXenes that degrade quickly in water, this version maintained over 95% of its performance even after 12 months.
"This research proves that controlling defects at the atomic level is the master key to determining a material's overall lifespan and performance," said Professor Koo Jong-min. "We expect this to accelerate the commercialization of MXene in high-tech electronics, energy devices, and the defense industry where infrared camouflage is critical."

The study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under various advanced materials and basic research programs.

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