Super-Stretchable, Self-Healing 2D MXene-Based Composites for Thermal Management and Electromagnetic Shielding Applications

MXene-based elastomeric electromagnetic radiation shielding composites are encouraging aspirants to ensure the secure performance of stretchable and wearable electronic gadgets. However, it is a tough challenge to construct effective stretchable elastomer/MXene composites with outstanding electromagnetic radiation shielding efficiency, healing capability, thermal management, and recyclability. To simultaneously promote the multifunctional characteristics of the elastomeric composites, we prepared zinc oxide cross-linked and 1-(3-aminopropyl) imidazole (API)-grafted XNBR/MXene composites by forming continuous conductive nacre-like network via a simple two-step wet cum melt mixing strategy. Contributed by the structure, the composites show excellent shielding effectiveness of -27.4 dB (in the frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz) and a thermal conductivity of 1.24 W/mK while retaining the electrical conductivity of 0.5 S/cm, room temperature self-healing ability of 46.8%, and 100% recyclability with desirable stretchability and mechanical strength. Notably, the continuous conducting network remains unaffected even after reprocessing, stretching, bending, extended sunlight exposure, and chemical treatment, which validates its all-round chemical and mechanical performance. Such prolonged deformations show more than 95% retention of shielding effectiveness. Collectively, our multifunctional elastomeric composites supply a prominent directive for the establishment of high-performance elastomeric composites with outstanding shielding efficiency, self-healing ability, thermal management, recyclability, and excellent mechanical behavior.