Interfacial engineering of hybrid MXene-Ni-CF tri-core–shell composites for electromagnetic interference shielding and E-heating applications
Yi Hu, Guoyu Yang, Junzhen Chen, Yujun Li, Ming Dong, Han Zhang, Emiliano Bilotti, Jianjun Jiang, Dimitrios G. Papageorgiou
Abstract
In response to the the needs for multifunctional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites, we present a novel, tri-core-shell CFRP consisting of MXene, nickel (Ni), and CF synthesized through layer-by-layer assembly. The hybrid composites demonstrate remarkable electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, alongside efficient electrical (E-) heating properties. Additionally, the MXene-Ni-CF/EP hybrid composite displayed improved flexural strength and ILSS compared to Ni-CF/EP composite. Outstanding enhancements were observed in both the through-thickness and in-plane electrical conductivities, with a 116-fold and 14-fold improvement, respectively, attributed to the complex MXene-Ni-CF conductive paths. The hierarchical composites significantly outperformed the state of the art and demonstrated a superior EMI shielding efficiency of 72.4 dB by virtue of the dielectric and magnetic loss mechanisms. The low-voltage-driven E-heating capacity could be utilized for de-icing applications due to the thermally conductive networks. The produced composites offer a highly promising solution to tackle challenges associated with lightning strikes and icy weather conditions, while also aligning with the goal of cost-effective industrial production.