Prussene: Transforming ancient pigments into magnetic nanoalloyed 2D layers

Abstract

This study redefines Prussian blue analogs (PBAs), transforming them into Prussene—a two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterial—via laser-shock-induced 2D phase transition synthesis (LSPT^2D). This scalable nanomanufacturing technique harnesses high-temperature/pressure plasmas to drive phase transitions, converting PBA nanocubes into N-doped carbon nanosheets embedded with ultrafine magnetic nanoalloys. Unlike conventional exfoliation method, LSPT^2D enables chemical phase engineering, preserving structural integrity while imparting exceptional properties. Prussene exhibits a high saturation magnetization (108.3 emu/g) and enhanced conductivity due to its conductive carbon matrix. Demonstrating transformative electromagnetic wave absorption, it achieves a reflection loss of −51.7 dB and a 5.87 GHz effective bandwidth across GHz–THz frequencies, surpassing state-of-the-art absorbers. These attributes position Prussene as a breakthrough for stealth technologies and ultrahigh-frequency communications. This work establishes a scalable paradigm for synthesizing chemically modified 2D materials, unlocking applications in catalysis, energy storage, and multifunctional nanoelectronics. Prussene’s innovation lies in its synthesis-process-property triad, heralding a new era in high-performance nanomaterials.