Unlocking exceptional EMI shielding in Ti <sub>3</sub> C <sub>2</sub> T <sub> <i>x</i> </sub> MXenes through controlled microstructure and surface chemistry
Shahzad Hussain, Resham Siddique, M. Nadeem, Eman Zafar, Sadia Manzoor, Jawwad A. Darr
Abstract
, surpassing all previously reported MXene-based shields of comparable thickness. The improved stability was attributed to the thermal conversion of surface OH groups to O-terminations, reducing interflake spacing and enhancing conductivity. The coated cotton fabric achieved an unprecedented SE of 82 dB due to the excellent wave attenuation associated with its porous structure. Notably, the fabric retained its shielding performance even after six months of ambient exposure, highlighting exceptional environmental stability. This study establishes critical structure-property relationships, revealing that induced porosity, meta-structure effects, large flake size, and optimized surface terminations synergistically enhance EMI shielding. By elucidating the interplay between material parameters and shielding performance, this work provides a foundational framework for designing advanced EMI mitigation technologies, paving the way for scalable, high-performance shielding solutions in next-generation flexible and wearable electronics.