Hydrophobic MXene/Hydroxyethyl Cellulose/Silicone Resin Composites with Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Exploring a method to fabricate robust and stable 3D conductive networks in polymers matrix is still the challenge in the research and development of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Here, a feasible approach is provided to produce high‐performance, silicone‐doped MXene EMI shielding composites. The trace amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose is deliberately applied as gels to construct the MXene aerogels with a stable and highly conductive network by the freeze‐drying method. For more desirable mechanical and waterproof properties, the silicone resin is introduced into the MXene aerogels on purpose. The best silicone‐doped MXene EMI shielding composites display a superior electrical conductivity of 3166.4 S m−1, and EMI shield effectiveness of 74.5 dB at the X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz). It is worth noting that the introduction of silicone resins sharply improves the hydrophobicity of EMI shielding materials to a range of water contact angle of about 151.5°–155.0°. This is a promising method to make MXene‐based EMI shielding composites with self‐cleaning function. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is used as highly efficient gels to produce MXene/HEC mixed aerogels (MHA). The MHA is further doped with silicone resin to form MXene/HEC/silicone resin (MHSi) composites. The MHSi composites with double rough surface have hydrophobicity (water contact angle of about 150.5°–155.0°) and excellent electromagnetic shielding performance (21.0–74.5 dB).