MXene-integrated damping and vibro-acoustic composites: from nanosheet interfaces to structural dynamics

Vibration and noise control are critical for lightweight engineering structures, yet conventional damping and sound-absorbing materials often suffer from limited low-frequency performance, mechanical–damping trade-offs, insufficient multifunctionality, and a lack of real-time feedback. MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, possess layered nanosheet structures, high electrical conductivity, abundant surface terminations, and good processability, providing a promising platform for multifunctional vibro-acoustic composites. Unlike previous MXene reviews that mainly focus on sensing, electromagnetic shielding, thermal management, or mechanical reinforcement, this mini review establishes a mechanism-oriented framework linking nanosheet interfacial dissipation, structural attenuation, and self-sensing response under dynamic loading. Recent progress in MXene-integrated damping and vibro-acoustic composites is summarized, including MXene/polymer interfacial dissipation, porous and layered structures for sound absorption and vibration attenuation, and conductive networks for self-sensing damping and structural health monitoring. Key challenges, such as inconsistent evaluation criteria, unclear dissipation mechanisms, limited long-term stability, and insufficient coupling between material design and structural dynamics modeling, are further discussed. Future interface–structure–function integrated design may enable MXenes to evolve into intelligent vibro-acoustic control units with energy dissipation, state sensing, and multifunctional coupling capabilities.