Multifunctional MXene: Improve electromagnetic interference shielding of PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites in X- and Ku-band

With the development of technology, life is full of electromagnetic pollution; therefore we need to shield the electromagnetic signals that are undesirable and harmful to us. In this work, polypyrrole (PPy)/polydopamine (PDA)/Ti3C2Tx composites were successfully prepared for electromagnetic interference shielding applications by a simple polymerization method and mixing process. We investigated the electrical conductivity, thermal properties, electromagnetic interference shielding effect (EMI SE), and its EMI attenuation mechanism of PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites. By adjusting the content of Ti3C2Tx in the PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites (from 0 to 12 vol%), the conductivity of the composites increased considerably from 34.6 to 884.1 S m(-1), and the maximum EMI SE of the composites in K-u-band varied accordingly from 4.30 to 21.82 dB. Additionally, the thermal stability of the PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx (12 vol%) composite was improved due to the addition of Ti3C2Tx and PDA, with a change in mass loss from 59.25% to 29.34% at 900 degrees C. These results highlight that the investigated PPy/PDA/Ti3C2Tx composites are promising materials for EMI shielding.