Abstract
Artificial superlattices, constructed from atomic layers such as graphene using layer-by-layer periodic stacking or sequential epitaxial growth, have emerged as a versatile platform for developing new materials with properties surpassing the existing materials1,2,3. However, the explored superlattices are predominantly van der Waals (vdW) superlattices, constrained by weak interface coupling4,5. Here we present an efficient synthetic protocol that achieves a family of non-vdW superlattices of carbides and carbonitrides, featuring hydrogen bonding between layers through a stiffness-mediated rolling-up strategy. The crucial step involves customizing the bending stiffness of the atomic layers derived from MAX phases by creating metal vacancies in MX slabs, triggering their ordered rolling-up under rapid flexural deformation. Unlike vdW superlattices, our non-vdW superlattices with hydrogen bonding afford robust interlayer electronic coupling with highly concentrated charge carriers (1022 cm−3). Consequently, our superlattices exhibit a notable electrical conductivity of about 30,000 S cm−1, which is around 22 times that of the counterparts. When used in electromagnetic interference shielding, the optimal non-vdW superlattice film demonstrates a remarkable shielding effectiveness of 124 dB, surpassing that of any known synthetic materials with comparable thickness. The non-vdW superlattices are anticipated to markedly broaden the material platform, offering variable compositions and crystal structures for new developments in artificially stacked systems.
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Data availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available in the paper and its Supplementary Information.
Code availability
The simulation codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.
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Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 52125207 (S.Y.), 52072014 (S.Y.), 52202204 (Z.D.), 22475009 (Z.D.), 12234011 (P.T.) and 12374053 (P.T.)), the National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (grant no. 2024YFA1409100 (P.T.)) and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF (grant no. GZC20252778 (Q. Zhao)). S.Y. and L.S. thank the support from Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility and National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (NSRL, Hefei, China). S.Y. and Q. Zhao thank P. M. Ajayan for the suggestions on the writing of the paper. S.Y. and Q. Zhao thank HCUNI for the support in the EMI shielding effectiveness measurement. S.Y. and Q. Zhao thank the facilities and the scientific and technical assistance of the Analysis & Testing Center, Beihang University.
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S.Y. supervised the project. Q. Zhao designed and carried out most of the experiments. Z.D. and Z.W. performed the SEM, TEM and STEM measurements. Q. Zhao and Y.Y. performed the FTIR, AFM, Raman and rheological properties measurements. G.W. carried out the XRD, zeta potential, POM and UPS measurements. Q. Zhao and X.W. performed the ICP, TG, EPR, SAXS/WAXS, XANES, mechanical flexibility and in situ optical microscope measurements. Q. Zhu and Z.X. carried out the DFT calculations. K.S. and Q. Zhao fabricated the devices and carried out the electrical transport and magnetotransport measurements. P.T. provided suggestions on the DFT calculations. G.G., L.S. and Y.G. provided suggestions on the experiment and writing of the paper. All authors discussed the results and assisted during manuscript preparation.
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Nature thanks Chong Min Koo, Zheng Liu, Cem Sevik and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.
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This file contains Supplementary Information sections 1–5, which include Supplementary Materials and Methods, Supplementary Figs. 1–64, Supplementary Tables 1–11, Supplementary Text and Supplementary References.
Supplementary Video 1 (download MP4 )
In situ optical video of the delamination and rolling-up process of multilayer V2CTx under the function of TBPH solution.
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Zhao, Q., Du, Z., Si, K. et al. Non-van der Waals superlattices of carbides and carbonitrides. Nature 647, 80–85 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09649-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09649-w
