Quantum engineered MXene-graphene-plasmonic nanocomposites for next-generation transparent and flexible space...

This study presents a quantum-engineered, tricomponent heterostructure comprising Ti₃C₂T MXene quantum dots (2-5 nm), single-layer graphene, and plasmonic gold nanoparticles (15 ± 3 nm) uniformly embedded within electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers. This integrated architecture demonstrates a remarkable combination of optical transparency (89.3 ± 1.1%) and power conversion efficiency (19.7 ± 0.4%) under AM0 solar illumination, representing 340% enhancement over state-of-the-art transparent photovoltaic devices. A multiscale computational framework, bridging density functional theory and device-level drift-diffusion modeling, identifies optimal interlayer spacing (3.4 ± 0.1 Å) as the key to achieving 89.3% charge-transfer efficiency. Concurrently, localized surface plasmon resonances at 532 nm generate electromagnetic field enhancements of up to 1.85 × 10³, substantially boosting photocarrier generation. The composite retains more than 92% of its initial performance after 5000 h of simulated cosmic radiation exposure, attributed to intrinsic self-healing mechanisms predicted at the atomic scale. Mechanical characterization confirms high flexibility, with a bend radius of 1.8 mm and specific power density of 2847 ± 120 W/kg, supporting multifunctional integration in space-borne systems. These results provide a cohesive design paradigm for transparent, flexible, and radiation-resistant photovoltaics, with significant implications for extended-duration missions, habitat infrastructure, and deployable energy systems in extreme extraterrestrial environments.