Efficient photothermal conversion in a Ti₃C₂T_x/Bi₂Se₃ hybrid for infrared stealth

The advancement of infrared detection technologies necessitates the development of novel stealth materials that can actively manipulate thermal signatures. Here, we report a Ti₃C₂T_x/Bi₂Se₃ hybrid designed with high-efficiency photothermal conversion for an active infrared thermal stealth strategy. Bi₂Se₃ was prepared using bismuth on Se nanodisks grown via Cu²⁺-induced strategy, and Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and Bi₂Se₃ were successfully composited through a facile low-temperature ultrasonic process. Owing to the efficient light absorption and charge transfer enabled by the strong interaction between Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and Bi₂Se₃, the Ti₃C₂T_x/Bi₂Se₃ hybrid material exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion, achieving a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency of approximately 52.03%, with a standard deviation of 1.67%. In the simulated infrared detection, the Ti₃C₂T_x/Bi₂Se₃-based dummy target gradually concealed the real target in the environmental background within 10 minutes through photothermal conversion. This work demonstrates a promising active stealth strategy and underscores the potential of MXene-based photothermal hybrids in next-generation infrared camouflage technologies.