Micro-porous MXene/Aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel with reversible compression and efficient EMI shielding performance

Abstract Currently, extensive utilization of electronic devices and wireless equipment require human to take affirmative measures to weaken unwanted electromagnetic wave radiations. Herein, micro-porous structure MXene/aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel was developed from aramid nanofibers and MXene(Ti3C2Tx) flakes through freeze-drying approach. The robust aramid nanofibers established foundation for oxidation protection and reversible compressibility in skeleton. Due to the unique micro-porous structure, the MXene(Ti3C2Tx)/aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel remained efficient shielding capacity, whose electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness and specific EMI shielding effectiveness reached ~56.8 dB and 3645.7 dB cm2 g−1 at thickness of 1.9 mm in X-band. Furthermore, the shielding performance could be regulated by MXene(Ti3C2Tx) content and thickness. With increasing MXene(Ti3C2Tx) loading, the porous size of MXene(Ti3C2Tx)/aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel enlarged, and the MXene(Ti3C2Tx)/aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel became tough and robust. Under 40% strain, the maximum compressive stress of MXene(Ti3C2Tx)/aramid nanofibers hybrid aerogel with 21 wt% MXene(Ti3C2Tx) flakes content reached ~210 kPa. This work provided feasible avenue for fabricating hybrid aerogel with reversible compressibility and efficient EMI shielding performance simultaneously.