MXene Ti3C2Tx, EGaIn, and Carbon Nanotube Composites on Polyurethane Substrates for Strain Sensing, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, and Joule Heating

Developing multifunctional electronic fabrics with sensing capabilities, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and Joule heating performance holds great significance for health monitoring and medical protection. However, most fabrics struggle to combine multiple functions and optimize them simultaneously. For example, achieving both high sensitivity and a wide detection range in sensing devices remains a challenge. In this paper, we present a multidimensional composite structure comprising MXene Ti3C2Tx nano lamellar, self-assembled lotus leaf-like MXene/EGaIn and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) assembled on the surface of thermoplastic polyurethane to create a multifunctional MXene EGaIn/MXene CNT fabric (MEMC fabric). The multidimensional materials form a stable conductive network under tension. As a strain sensor, the MEMC fabric exhibits a large sensing range (0–360%) and ultra-high sensitivity (GF ∼ 114,700), making it suitable for artificial eardrum research. Additionally, MEMC demonstrates excellent EMI shielding effect (∼73 dB) and maintains good EMI shielding performance under tensile conditions. The fabric also showcases outstanding Joule heating performance (low voltage drive ∼2 V, fast heating time ∼13 s, and high heating stability ∼4000 s). This paper also demonstrates the multifunctional combination of MEMC fabrics, achieving simultaneous sensing, EMI shielding, and Joule heating functions under stretching. This work offers a forward-looking approach for constructing multifunctional composite fabrics, and the resulting MEMC composite materials hold potential applications in portable electronic devices and defense industries.