Rapid synergistic multi-polarization losses enable efficient micro-/terahertz-wave absorption and shielding in WO3-based 1T/2H-MoSe2 in-plane heterojunctions
image: Based on a suitable band structure, the synergistic effect of oxygen vacancy defects and an electromagnetic field facilitates electron transfer. This process thereby achieves broadband absorption across microwave and terahertz frequencies through the combined contributions of interfacial polarization loss, dipole polarization loss, and enhanced electronic and ionic polarization losses.
Credit: Nano Research, Tsinghua University Press
The proliferation of 5G communication technology and the miniaturization of electronic devices have made protection against human electromagnetic radiation an urgent global public health issue. Concurrently, intensifying great power arms races are driving electromagnetic warfare environments towards full-spectrum capabilities and intelligentization. Microwave (300 MHz–300 GHz) and terahertz wave (0.1–10 THz) technologies, as core frequency bands in electromagnetic spectrum engineering, have deeply penetrated critical fields such as communications, military, healthcare, and industrial inspection. Consequently, electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding have become imperative problems to solve. However, traditional absorbing materials face numerous challenges, such as singular loss mechanisms, a lack of adaptive cross-band regulation capability, and excessive thickness. These limitations severely restrict their application in complex electromagnetic compatibility scenarios.
A research team led by Professor Xinglong Wu from Nanjing University, Jiangsu, China, recently reported the outstanding broadband electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the (1T/2H-MoSe₂)/WO₃ system and elucidated its intrinsic absorption mechanism in detail. By constructing a planar heterojunction absorber system featuring multi-polarization synergy, comprising hexagonal WO₃ nanosheets loaded with mixed-phase 1T/2H-MoSe₂, they conducted an in-depth investigation into the electron transfer mechanisms within this heterostructure, particularly the rapid intercalation behavior of electrons within WO₃. The system's absorption performance originates from the synergistic optimization of four key factors: precise band structure modulation, construction of multi-dimensional heterogeneous interfaces, oxygen/selenium dual-vacancy defect engineering, and the creation of rapid charge migration channels. This innovative multi-scale structural regulation strategy achieves the coupling of various loss mechanisms, including interfacial polarization, dipole polarization, and electron/ion polarization induced by electron cloud distortion.
Experimental results demonstrate that the (1T/2H-MoSe₂)/WO₃ (x=3) composite exhibits exceptional electromagnetic wave absorption performance across both microwave and terahertz bands. For the microwave band, with an ultra-thin thickness of only 1.77 mm, the minimum reflection loss reaches a remarkable -66.62 dB. In the terahertz band, the composite achieves its highest shielding effectiveness of 67.3 dB at 1.31 THz.This work pioneers the introduction of the dynamic carrier regulation characteristics inherent in electrochromic materials into electromagnetic wave dissipation systems, offering valuable insights for constructing the next generation of absorbing materials.
The team published their review in Nano Research on August 19, 2025.
Corresponding author Professor Wu Xinglong from the School of Physics, Nanjing University stated: "In this paper, our research team conducts an in-depth investigation into physical mechanisms such as electron-phonon interactions. Centered on the core scientific challenge of 'band structure design → electron-phonon coupling → synergistic multi-loss mechanisms', we designed and fabricated a (1T/2H-MoSe₂)/WO₃ planar heterostructure system and performed detailed characterization of its electromagnetic wave absorption performance. The physical mechanisms underlying this system can provide valuable insights for future absorber design, while demonstrating significant application potential in both military and civilian domains. " Professor Wu is also a Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor of the Ministry of Education of China, and he has previously served as the vice dean of the Physics College of Nanjing University.
Other contributors include Sitao Guan, Yang Zhao, Wenqing Wei, Hengdong Ren and Yuxiang Yan are all affiliated with the School of Physics, Nanjing University.
This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFB2800700) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 12274210). Partial support is from NSF of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20243062).
About Nano Research
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, open access, international and interdisciplinary research journal, sponsored by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Chemical Society, published by Tsinghua University Press on the platform SciOpen. It publishes original high-quality research and significant review articles on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from basic aspects of the science of nanoscale materials to practical applications of such materials. After 18 years of development, it has become one of the most influential academic journals in the nano field. Nano Research has published more than 1,000 papers every year from 2022, with its cumulative count surpassing 7,000 articles. In 2024 InCites Journal Citation Reports, its 2024 IF is 9.0 (8.7, 5 years), and it continues to be the Q1 area among the four subject classifications. Nano Research Award, established by Nano Research together with TUP and Springer Nature in 2013, and Nano Research Young Innovators (NR45) Awards, established by Nano Research in 2018, have become international academic awards with global influence.