Construction of alternating multilayer MXene/WPU thin films with excellent EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties

With the increasing popularity and rapid development of portable and wearable electronics, it has become extremely crucial to employ electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials that efficiently reduce the ensuing radiation pollution. Nonetheless, the substantial thickness and poor mechanical properties of most EMI-shielding materials have hindered their implementation in portable and wearable electronics. Herein, a facile alternating vacuum-assisted filtration strategy was used to fabricate an ultrathin and flexible multilayer MXene/WPU film for EMI shielding applications. It possesses excellent mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 71.11 MPa, a toughness of 1.79 MJ m−3, and a strain at failure of 5.46%. The alternating multilayer MXene/WPU film enhanced the EMI shielding performance, which exhibits a 52 dB EMI shielding efficiency (SE) and a thickness specific SE of 6407.97 dB cm2 g−1 with a thickness of 35 µm. In addition, as synthesized composite film possesses high electrical conductivity of 487.95 S m−1. This strategy is essential for preparing ultrathin, flexible composites with high EMI shielding capability and expanding the practical applications of composites based on MXene. [Display omitted] •Ultrathin and flexible multilayer MXene/WPU films were made by alternating VAF.•The EMI SE achieves 52 dB and SSE/t is 6407.97 dB cm2 g−1 at a thickness of 35 µm.•Specific multilayer structures enhance reflection and internal multiple reflection.•The tensile strength and toughness are 71.11 MPa and 1.79 MJ m−3 respectively.