Asymmetric Structural MXene/PBO Aerogels for High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding with Ultra-Low...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are crucial for blocking electromagnetic radiation.
• Achieving both low reflectivity and excellent EMI shielding simultaneously is challenging.
• Multilayer structures are needed to overcome limitations of current materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel aerogels with enhanced EMI shielding performance.
• To create materials with both low electromagnetic wave reflection and high absorption characteristics.
• To investigate the potential of asymmetric structural aerogels for EMI shielding and infrared camouflage.

Main Methods:

• Poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) nanofibers (PNF) were synthesized.
• MXene and heterostructure MXene@Ni were combined with PNF to form absorption and reflective layers.
• Layer-by-layer freeze-drying was used to fabricate asymmetric aerogels: (MXene@Ni/PNF)-(MXene/PNF).

Main Results:

• The fabricated aerogels demonstrated efficient absorption-reflection-reabsorption of electromagnetic waves.
• Optimal aerogels (MXene:Ni ratio 1:6, 80 wt.% MXene in reflective layer) achieved 71 dB EMI shielding and a reflection coefficient of 0.10.
• Finite element simulations confirmed the high EMI shielding and low reflection characteristics of the asymmetric structure.

Conclusions:

• The developed (MXene@Ni/PNF)-(MXene/PNF) aerogels offer excellent EMI shielding performance with minimal reflection.
• The asymmetric layered design is effective for achieving superior electromagnetic wave management.
• These aerogels also exhibit promising infrared camouflage capabilities.