Electromagnetic shielding by MXene-Graphene-PVDF composite with hydrophobic, lightweight and flexible graphene coated fabric

Abstract

MXene and graphene based thin, flexible and low-density composite were prepared by cost effective spray coating and solvent casting method. The fabricated composite was characterized using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The prepared composites showed hydrophobic nature with higher contact angle of 126°, -43 mN·m-1 wetting energy, -116 mN·m-1 spreading Coefficient and 30 mN·m-1 lowest work of adhesion. The composites displayed excellent conductivity of 13.68 S·cm-1 with 3.1 Ω·sq-1 lowest sheet resistance. All the composites showed an outstanding thermal stability and constrain highest weight lost until 400 °C. The MXene-graphene foam exhibited excellent EMI shielding of 53.8 dB (99.999%) with reflection of 13.10 dB and absorption of 43.38 dB in 8-12.4 GHz. The single coated carbon fabric displayed outstanding absolute shielding effectiveness of 35,369.82 dB·cm2·g-1. The above results lead perspective applications such as aeronautics, radars, air travels, mobile phones, handy electronics and military applications.