Bifunctional Ti3C2Tx–CNT/PANI composite with excellent electromagnetic shielding and supercapacitive performance

Abstract

Ti3C2Tx exhibits excellent electromagnetic (EM) shielding and electrochemical properties. However, the inherent re-stacking tendency and easy oxidation of Ti3C2Tx limit its further application. In this study, a multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite (CNT/PANI, denoted as C–P) was introduced into Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to obtain a Ti3C2Tx–CNT/PANI composite (T@CP). Owing to the integrated effects of Ti3C2Tx and C–P, the contribution of absorption was significantly improved, which finally enhanced the EM shielding performance of T@CP. The highest total EM shielding effectiveness (SET) was close to 50 dB (49.8 dB), which was substantially higher than that of pure Ti3C2Tx (45.3 dB). Moreover, T@CP demonstrated outstanding supercapacitive performance. The specific capacitance of T@CP (2134.5 mF/cm2 at 2 mV/s) was considerably higher than that of pure Ti3C2Tx (414.3 mF/cm2 at 2 mV/s). These findings provide a new route for the development of high-efficiency Ti3C2Tx-based bifunctional EM shielding and electrochemical materials.