Facile fabrication of flexible and ultrathin self-assembled Ti3C2Tx/bacterial cellulose composite films with multifunctional electromagnetic shielding and photothermal conversion performances

Abstract

With the rapid development of modern electronics, the next generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials requires ultrathin, lightweight, flexibility and robustness to protect electronic devices from radiation pollution. In this study, the multifunctional Ti3C2Tx/Bacterial Cellulose (Ti3C2Tx/BC) composite films with uniformly lamellar structures have been developed by combining experimental and theoretical works. The microstructures, mechanical properties, EMI shielding and photothermal conversion performances of Ti3C2Tx/BC composite films have been systematically investigated. It is highlighted that the resultant ultrathin and flexible Ti3C2Tx/BC composite film with a Ti3C2Tx content of 50 wt% exhibits satisfactory tensile strength of 109.6 ± 4.5 MPa, excellent electrical conductivity of 5020 S m−1 and EMI SE value of 43.7 dB. More interestingly, the composite film displays stable and fast-response photothermal characteristics, with the photothermal conversion temperature up to 74.5 ℃. This study proposes a versatile strategy to synthesize multifunctional MXene/BC composite films with satisfactory mechanical properties, high performance EMI shielding and photothermal conversion effects, which shows great potential for the protection of electronic devices.