Flexible MXene Hybrid Films with a Tuned Silver Nanowire Framework for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Ultralow Voltage-Driven Joule Heating

Abstract

As wearable electronics and medical implants evolve, there is an increasing demand for protective devices that provide both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and heating capabilities while operating at weaker voltages to accommodate various power sources. Herein, a simple, cost-friendly, step-by-step vacuum-assisted filtration method is utilized to prepare asymmetrical layered “MXene–MXene@silver nanowires(AgNWs)-MXene-AgNWs” hybrid films, exhibiting a “mille-feuille”-like structure with a thickness of 9.02 μm, possessing enhanced flexibility suitable for various applications. This composite structure exploits the excellent electrical and thermal conductivity of AgNWs together with the notable EMI shielding performance of MXene (SE/t = 112,967 dB cm–1 ). By tuning the MXene layer and AgNW framework, the multilayer structured film achieves excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (SE/t = 68,825 dB cm–1). Due to the introduction of the AgNW layer, its interface reflection properties lead to differential electromagnetic wave (EMW) consumption in the structure, resulting in an excellent EMI shielding of 62.08 dB. The enhanced EMI shielding is attributed to the AgNW layer interface reflection, which significantly increases the effective consumption pathway of incident EMWs. Moreover, its Joule heating performance reaches 227.7 °C at 1.0 V, exhibiting a superior ultralow voltage drive characteristic. The flexible and self-supported composite film has significant potential applications in protecting human body implants, such as cardiac pacemakers, from the influence of EMI pollution. Furthermore, it can be utilized in extreme weather conditions for deicing, defogging, and antifreezing purposes