Robust MXene‑Based Electromagnetic Shielding Textiles Integrated Smart Switching and Tri‑Mode Thermal Conversion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• High-performance textiles integrating mechanical, electrical, and magnetic functionalities are crucial for wearable electronics.
• Achieving a synergistic combination of mechanical robustness, environmental stability, and controllable performance in such fibers remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop advanced composite fibers with integrated functionalities for demanding applications.
• To explore the potential of MXenes, sodium alginate, and metal-organic framework derivatives in creating high-performance textiles.

Main Methods:

• Continuous wet-spinning of composite fibers using transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes), sodium alginate, and metal-organic framework derivatives.
• Utilizing cooperative crosslinking effects (hydrogen-bonding, ionic, covalent) to enhance fiber properties.
• Fabricating and testing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding textiles and evaluating their tunable performance.

Main Results:

• The composite fibers exhibit high mechanical strength, flexibility, hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, and antioxidant capacity.
• The assembled textile demonstrates outstanding ultrabroadband EMI shielding effectiveness (up to 61 dB).
• A smart, reversible EMI shielding switch with tunable effectiveness (3.04–30.3 dB) was achieved by altering weaving orientation.

Conclusions:

• The developed MXene-based composite fibers offer a versatile platform for high-performance textiles.
• The scalable fabrication strategy enables applications in wearable electronics, electromagnetic compatibility, and aerospace.
• The tunable EMI shielding and multifunctional properties open new avenues for advanced material design.