Flexible Conductive Polyimide Fiber/MXene Composite Film for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Joule Heating with Excellent Harsh Environment Tolerance

Abstract

The development of flexible MXene-based multifunctional composites is becoming a hot research area to achieve the application of conductive MXene in wearable electric instruments. Herein, a flexible conductive polyimide fiber (PIF)/MXene composite film with densely stacked “rebar-brick-cement” lamellar structure is fabricated using the simple vacuum filtration plus thermal imidization technique. A water-soluble polyimide precursor, poly­(amic acid), is applied to act as a binder and dispersant to ensure the homogeneous dispersion of MXene and its good interfacial adhesion with PIF after thermal imidization, resulting in excellent mechanical robustness and high conductivity (3787.9 S/m). Owing to the reflection on the surface, absorption through conduction loss and interfacial/dipolar polarization loss inside the material, and the lamellar structure that is beneficial for multiple reflection and scattering between adjacent layers, the resultant PIF/MXene composite film exhibits a high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of 49.9 dB in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz. More importantly, its EMI shielding capacity can be well maintained in various harsh environments (e.g., extreme high/low temperature, acid/salt solution, and long-term cyclic bending), showing excellent stability and durability. Furthermore, it also presents fast, stable, and long-term durable Joule heating performances based on its stable and excellent conductivity, demonstrating good thermal deicing effects under actual conditions. Therefore, we believe that the flexible conductive PIF/MXene composite film with excellent conductivity and harsh environment tolerance possesses promising potential for electromagnetic wave protection and personal thermal management.

2D MXene Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Multifunctional Applications in Microwave Absorption

“…[28][29][30][31] Therefore, it is urgent to explore its absorbing and shielding mechanism and its extended applications (Scheme 1c). [32][33][34] MXene nanomaterials stand out among 2D nanomaterials and have been extensively studied by researchers because of their unique layered structure, chemical diversity, and outstanding chemical and physical properties. In recent years, MXene materials have rapidly opened the market for electromagnetic interference shielding technology due to their excellent electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) capability.…”

“…[ 28–31 ] Therefore, it is urgent to explore its absorbing and shielding mechanism and its extended applications (Scheme 1c). [ 32–34 ]…”

MXene reinforced organohydrogels with ultra-stability, high sensitivity and anti-freezing ability for flexible strain sensors

“…14,15 MXenes are a kind of transition metal carbide two-dimensional nanomaterial with a graphene-like structure, 16 which have unique properties of metallic conductivity, hydrophilicity, good processability and high specific surface area. 17 Therefore, they have demonstrated great prospects for various applications such as energy storage, 18 electromagnetic interference shielding, [19][20][21] sensing, [22][23][24] and biomedicine. 25 Owing to their special characteristics, the properties of hydrogels could also be enhanced by introducing MXenes.…”

Facile preparation of a cellulose derived carbon/BN composite aerogel for superior electromagnetic wave absorption

“…[1][2][3] However, the radiation and interference generated by EMW not only threaten human life, but also affect the normal operation of highly sensitive electronic equipment. 4,5 In fact, electromagnetic shielding materials with good microwave reflection properties have been used to solve these problems, 6,7 but the strong electromagnetic reflection generated secondary pollution cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is imperative to design novel materials with excellent EMW absorption properties to convert electromagnetic energy into internal energy or other forms of energy to cut off the propagation of EMW.…”