From MXene Trash to Ultraflexible Composites for Multifunctional Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) show promise for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
• Developing flexible and cost-effective MXene-based composites is crucial for next-generation electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create ultraflexible composite films from recycled MXene sediment (MS) and waterborne polyurethane (WPU).
• To investigate the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (SE) and multifunctionality of these novel composites.

Main Methods:

• A simple solution casting approach was employed to fabricate MS/WPU composite films.
• The mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and EMI shielding performance across various frequency bands were evaluated.
• Electrothermal and photothermal properties were also assessed.

Main Results:

• The MS/WPU composites exhibited excellent mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
• An ultrabroadband EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) exceeding 34.5 dB was achieved in the gigahertz range (X, P, K, and R bands).
• Composites with 70 wt % MS achieved an X-band SE of 45.3 dB at a thickness of 0.51 mm.
• The films demonstrated notable electrothermal and photothermal performance.

Conclusions:

• Recycled MXene sediment can be effectively utilized to create high-performance, multifunctional flexible composites.
• The developed MS/WPU composites offer a sustainable and scalable solution for advanced EMI shielding applications.
• This work presents a new pathway for innovative, high-performance flexible composite materials.