Multifunctional Flexible AgNW/MXene/PDMS Composite Films for Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Advanced composite materials are essential for next-generation smart wearable electronics, requiring dual functionality for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and strain sensing.
• Fabricating flexible composite films with these properties presents a significant challenge in materials development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop multifunctional flexible composite films with superior EMI shielding and strain sensing capabilities.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of silver nanowires (AgNWs), MXene (Ti3C2Tx), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for enhanced performance.

Main Methods:

• A facile vacuum-assisted filtration process and transfer method were employed to construct ultrathin AgNW/MXene/AgNW conductive networks on a PDMS substrate.
• The structural and performance characteristics of the resulting AgNW/MXene/PDMS composite films were systematically evaluated.

Main Results:

• The composite films achieved an exceptional EMI shielding effectiveness of 50.82 dB with remarkable flexibility, maintaining performance after 1000 bending and stretching cycles.
• The films demonstrated excellent strain sensing capabilities with a wide linear range up to 68% strain and a gauge factor of 468, alongside fast response and high stability.
• The potential for motion and voice recognition was showcased, highlighting their utility as wearable sensors.

Conclusions:

• Multifunctional flexible AgNW/MXene/PDMS composite films effectively combine EMI shielding and strain sensing, offering a promising solution for wearable electronics.
• The developed materials provide robust performance in complex electromagnetic environments and for monitoring human motion, paving the way for advanced smart devices.