Super-Stretchable, Self-Healing 2D MXene-Based Composites for Thermal Management and Electromagnetic Shielding Applications
Palash Das, Ankur Katheria, Arijit Jana, Manojit Das, Baidyanath Roy, Jasomati Nayak, Krishnendu Nath, Suman Kumar Ghosh, Arijit De, Narayan Chandra Das
Abstract
MXene-based elastomeric electromagnetic radiation shielding composites are encouraging aspirants to ensure the secure performance of stretchable and wearable electronic gadgets. However, it is a tough challenge to construct effective stretchable elastomer/MXene composites with outstanding electromagnetic radiation shielding efficiency, healing capability, thermal management, and recyclability. To simultaneously promote the multifunctional characteristics of the elastomeric composites, we prepared zinc oxide cross-linked and 1-(3-aminopropyl) imidazole (API)-grafted XNBR/MXene composites by forming continuous conductive nacre-like network via a simple two-step wet cum melt mixing strategy. Contributed by the structure, the composites show excellent shielding effectiveness of −27.4 dB (in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz) and a thermal conductivity of 1.24 W/mK while retaining the electrical conductivity of 0.5 S/cm, room temperature self-healing ability of 46.8%, and 100% recyclability with desirable stretchability and mechanical strength. Notably, the continuous conducting network remains unaffected even after reprocessing, stretching, bending, extended sunlight exposure, and chemical treatment, which validates its all-round chemical and mechanical performance. Such prolonged deformations show more than 95% retention of shielding effectiveness. Collectively, our multifunctional elastomeric composites supply a prominent directive for the establishment of high-performance elastomeric composites with outstanding shielding efficiency, self-healing ability, thermal management, recyclability, and excellent mechanical behavior.