Flexible MXene-Based Composite Films for Multi-Spectra Defense in Radar, Infrared and Visible Light Bands

Simultaneously developing protective electronics film for multi-spectra, including the radar, infrared (IR), and visible ranges, for both the military and civilian sectors is extremely challenging. The existing multi-spectra-compatible materials mainly concentrate on either the radar/IR or IR/visible bands, trailing the rapid evolution of advanced devices for monitoring electromagnetic signals. Here, it is designed and fabricated an ultra-thin MXene-based composite film (20 mu m) containing black phosphorus (BP) and Ni chains (M-B-M(Ni)) with integrated highly efficient thermal IR stealth, visible light absorption, and electromagnetic wave shielding. M-B-M(Ni) exhibits an extremely low IR emissivity of 0.1, decreasing the radiation temperature difference between the surrounding environment and target device. BP offers a high solar absorptance of 80%, which guarantees energy conversion from visible light to heat. Moreover, the absorption proportion of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness for M-B-M(Ni) is 16% higher than that of pure MXene films (68.7%), owing to the improved magnetic loss by decoration with magnetic Ni chains. Due to the combined merits of MXene, BP, and Ni chains, M-B-M(Ni) opens an avenue for the construction of advanced multi-spectra compatible materials for versatile applications in thermal IR stealth, electromagnetic wave shielding, and energy transformation.

Automated summary

Simultaneously developing protective electronics film for multi-spectra, including the radar, infrared (IR), and visible ranges, for both the military and civilian sectors is extremely challenging. The existing multi-spectra-compatible materials mainly concentrate on either the radar/IR or IR/visible bands, trailing the rapid evolution of advanced devices for monitoring electromagnetic signals. Here, it is designed and fabricated an ultra-thin MXene-based composite film (20 mu m) containing black phosphorus (BP) and Ni chains (M-B-M(Ni)) with integrated highly efficient thermal IR stealth, visible light absorption, and electromagnetic wave shielding.