Interfacially engineered MXene-LDH 2D/2D heterostructures for integrated microwave absorption and corrosion protection

Achieving simultaneous electromagnetic wave attenuation and long-term corrosion resistance remains a major challenge for MXene-based absorbers, owing to their intrinsic susceptibility to harsh environments and impedance mismatch. In this work, we demonstrate a 2D/2D stacked Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene/ZnCo–MoO 4 layered double hydroxide (LDH) heterostructure, prepared through electrostatic self-assembly followed by ion-exchange modification. The interlocked nanosheet architecture promotes enhanced interfacial polarization and optimized impedance matching, leading to a strong reflection loss of −46.9 dB and a broad effective absorption bandwidth of 5.7 GHz at a thickness of only 2.1 mm. Meanwhile, the LDH component provides dual functionality as a physical barrier and an ion reservoir, enabling sustained release of Zn 2+ and MoO 4 2− species to suppress corrosion processes. The optimized coating exhibits an impedance modulus up to 9.31 × 10 8 Ω cm 2 and a protection efficiency of 99.97% after 21 days of salt-spray exposure. Electromagnetic simulations and arched-frame experiments further validate the stability of the composite under operational conditions. This multifunctional strategy bridges the gap between high-efficiency microwave absorption and environmental durability, offering practical prospects for aerospace, marine, and defense applications. • Dual-functional integration of microwave absorption and corrosion protection realized via MXene/ZnCo-MoO 4 heterostructures. • Synergistic loss mechanisms combining conductive and polarization losses modulated by Zn/Co ratio and hierarchical stacking. • High-performance microwave absorption with RL min of −46.9 dB and EAB of 5.7 GHz at only 2.1 mm thickness. • Ion-Exchange induced resistance with 99.9% protection efficiency and >10 8 Ω cm 2 impedance after a 21-day salt-spray exposure.