Self-Heating and Hydrophobic Nanofiber Membrane Based on Ti3C2Tx MXene/Ag Nanoparticles/Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Sensing Performance

Abstract

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 °C at light intensity of 100 mW/cm2) and hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 116°. 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.