Biomimetic MXene-based Films for Electromagnetic Shielding and Permeation Energy Trapping

LI Zequn; TENG Chao; CAO Moyuan; MA Xiaoyan

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.21.008

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Surface Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (21) : 113-123. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.21.008

Special Topic—Design and Applications of Hierarchical Surface Structure Exhibiting Superwettability

Biomimetic MXene-based Films for Electromagnetic Shielding and Permeation Energy Trapping

LI Zequn^1a, TENG Chao^1a,*, CAO Moyuan², MA Xiaoyan^1b,*

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Abstract

With the rapid advancement of electronic devices toward miniaturization, high integration, and multifunctionality, conventional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are increasingly inadequate to meet the growing demands for high performance and adaptability. Two-dimensional MXene nanosheets, as a class of emerging transition metal carbides/ nitrides, have demonstrated exceptional potential in EMI shielding due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and mechanical flexibility. However, the intrinsic brittleness and poor mechanical strength of pure MXene films significantly restrict their practical application in durable and flexible electronics. To overcome this limitation, this study proposes a novel material design strategy, which incorporates high-strength aramid nanofibers (ANFs) as a reinforcing phase and engineering a well-defined sandwich architecture to achieve synergistic enhancement in mechanical and functional properties.
First, multilayer MXene was synthesized by chemically etching MAX powder using in situ-generated hydrofluoric acid HF from the reaction between lithium fluoride LiF and hydrochloric acid HCl. The product was then subject to centrifugation and ultrasonication to obtain a homogeneous aqueous MXene dispersion, which was further solvent-exchanged with dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO to improve stability and processability. In parallel, ANF was dispersed in DMSO via deprotonation treatment using potassium hydroxide KOH, resulting in a stable and homogeneous ANF/DMSO colloidal suspension. The MXene/ANF/MXene sandwich-structured nanocomposite films were fabricated through a vacuum-assisted alternating filtration technique, which enabled precise control over layer stacking and interfacial properties, followed by a hot-pressing process to enhance layer integration and mechanical robustness.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed its distinct sandwich structure, with the outer layer enriched in MXene and the core layer dominated by ANF. The composite film exhibited a tensile strength of 69.2 MPa as measured by an electronic universal testing machine, representing a 163% increase over pure MXene films. This enhancement is attributed to ANF's effective load-bearing capacity and the strong interfacial bonding formed during the hot-pressing process. Electromagnetic shielding performance measured with a vector network analyser in the X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz) achieved a shielding effectiveness value of 23.77 dB, demonstrating exceptional electromagnetic wave attenuation capability. Furthermore, this composite film exhibited significant potential in permeation energy conversion. Tested using a Keithley 2 450 source measurement unit under a 50-fold NaCl concentration gradient, the film achieved a power density of 4.66 W/m², demonstrating sustainable energy harvesting capability.
The outer MXene layer formed a continuous conductive network for efficient electromagnetic shielding, while the inner ANF layer not only enhanced mechanical strength but also facilitated selective ion transport through its nanofluidic channels and functional groups. This combination of properties endowed the material with high mechanical durability, outstanding EMI shielding performance, and efficient permeation energy conversion capability.
In summary, this study proposes a scalable and highly efficient fabrication scheme for high-performance MXene/ ANF/MXene nanocomposite films based on vacuum-assisted filtration and hot-pressing processes. The proposed sandwich structure successfully overcomes the mechanical limitations of MXene while integrating multiple functionalities within a single material platform. With its exceptional combination of strength, electromagnetic shielding efficiency, and energy conversion capabilities, the MXene/ANF/MXene nanocomposite film demonstrates broad application prospects in next-generation electromagnetic protection, flexible wearable electronics, and blue energy harvesting systems.

Key words

MXene / aramid nanofibres / sandwich structure / electromagnetic interference shielding / multifunctionality

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LI Zequn, TENG Chao, CAO Moyuan, MA Xiaoyan. Biomimetic MXene-based Films for Electromagnetic Shielding and Permeation Energy Trapping[J]. Surface Technology. 2025, 54(21): 113-123 https://doi.org/10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.21.008

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