Self-Heating and Hydrophobic Nanofiber Membrane Based on Ti3C2TX MXene/Ag Nanoparticles/Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Sensing Performance

High-performance electrical nanofiber membranes with outstanding electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, wearable sensing, self-heating, and hydrophobic performances are highly desirable for modern integrated smart wearable electronic devices. Here, lightweight, flexible, and multifunctional Ti3C2Tx/ AgNPs/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofiber membranes are prepared through microwave-assisted reduced Ag precursors followed by drip coating of Ti3C2Tx. The introduction of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can endow the nanofiber membrane with hydrophobicity. The PDMS-Ti3C2Tx/AgNPs/TPU nanofiber membrane exhibits excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 72.7 dB and outstanding long-term stability when undergoing external forces. The strain sensor based on the PDMS-Ti3C2Tx/AgNPs/TPU nanofiber membrane shows a broad sensing range of 0%-120% with a gauge factor of 146. The pressure sensor based on the PDMS-Ti3C2Tx/AgNPs/TPU nanofiber membrane possesses a wide sensing range of 400-5000 Pa with a gauge factor of 0.35 kPa-1. In addition, the PDMS-Ti3C2Tx/AgNPs/TPU nanofiber membrane presents photothermal conversion (up to 46.6 degrees C at light intensity of 100 mW/cm2) and hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 116 degrees. The effective electromagnetic shielding, sensing capability, photothermal conversion, and hydrophobicity of PDMS-Ti3C2Tx/AgNPs/TPU nanofiber membranes enable its fascinating multifunctional applications in wearable devices and ensure its use in harsh environments.

Automated summary

Researchers have successfully fabricated lightweight, flexible, and multifunctional nanofiber membranes with excellent electromagnetic shielding, sensing, photothermal conversion, and hydrophobicity properties, which are suitable for modern wearable devices and can be used in harsh environments.