Flexible and lightweight Ti3C2Tx MXene/Fe3O4@PANI composite films for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

Ti3C2Tx MXene has been explored as an efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material because of its high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, rich surface defects, and abundant functional groups. Herein, core-shell Fe3O4@PANI composites were prepared, followed by the preparation of a flexible and lightweight Ti3C2Tx/Fe3O4@PANI composite film with sandwich intercalation structure by vacuum-assisted filtration, using Ti3C2Tx MXene as a matrix material. The ultrathin composite film with a Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to Fe3O4@PANI weight ratio of 12:5 reached a maximum EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) value of 58.8 dB at a thickness of only 12.1 μm. This is much higher than the SE of pure conductive Ti3C2Tx films of the same thickness. After adjusting the film thickness by increasing the concentration of Ti3C2Tx, an SE of 62 dB was achieved at a thickness of 16.7 μm. The ultrathin Ti3C2Tx/Fe3O4@PANI films exhibit potential for application in packaging, wearable electronic equipment, and military fields. Moreover, they provide insight into the preparation of lightweight and progressive electromagnetic shielding materials.