Flexible, Ultralight, and Mechanically Robust Waterborne Polyurethane/Ti3C2Tx MXene/Nickel Ferrite Hybrid Aerogels for High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Flexible, ultralight, and mechanically robust electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are urgently demanded to manage the increasing electromagnetic radiation pollution, but it remains a great challenge to simultaneously achieve ultralight yet mechanically robust properties while retaining high-efficiency EMI shielding performance. Herein, we fabricate a novel waterborne polyurethane/Ti3C2Tx MXene/nickel ferrite (WPU/MXene/NiFe2O4) hybrid aerogel by constructing a strong chemical bonding interaction between an NCO-terminated WPU prepolymer and hydroxyl functionalized MXene nanosheets. The resultant aerogels exhibit remarkable lightweight and mechanical properties, particularly high compressive stress far exceeding that of other MXene-based and WPU-based porous materials. Furthermore, synergistic effects of the oriented porous architecture and the multiphase skeleton endow the hybrid aerogels with a high X-band EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 64.7 dB at a low density of similar to 38.2 mg/cm(3). The corresponding specific SE value achieves 1694-3124 dB.cm(3)/g, and the SSE/d is up to 15,620 dB.cm(2)/g, surpassing that of most reported EMI shielding materials. Importantly, this aerogel, with excellent electromagnetic radiation protection effects and shielding reliability, is highly promising for long-term and effective EMI shielding service in various application environments.

Automated summary

This study fabricates a novel waterborne polyurethane/MXene/nickel ferrite hybrid aerogel with remarkable lightweight and mechanical properties, as well as high-efficiency EMI shielding performance. The hybrid aerogels exhibit high X-band EMI shielding effectiveness of 64.7 dB and specific SE values ranging from 1694 to 3124 dB.cm(3)/g, making them promising for long-term and effective EMI shielding in various application environments.