Flexible hydrophobic 2D Ti3C2Tx-based transparent conductive film with multifunctional self-cleaning, electromagnetic interference shielding and joule heating capacities

Developing multifunctional transparent shielding films (TSFs) are highly desirable for the advanced visualization electronic devices. Herein, based on the excellent electrical conductivity of two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx (MXene), flexible hydrophobic MXene-based transparent conducting films are applied in the field of shielding electromagnetic wave and electrical heating. Typically, a spraying coupled with spinning technique is demonstrated to orderly deposit MXene and hydrophobic fumed silica (Hf-SiO2) on transparent polycarbonate (PC) for developing the multifunctional TSFs. The obtained sandwich structural PC/MXene/Hf-SiO2 film exhibits the balanced optical and electrical properties with a low electrical resistance of 35.1 Omega/sq and corresponding transmittance of 33.4%, showing an effective electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE 20 dB) combined with a rapid steady joule heating performance at safe voltages (similar to 100 degrees C at 13 V), simultaneously. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic Hf-SiO2 coating layer not only endows the film with excellent self-cleaning ability, but also prevents MXene from oxidation. As a result, the hydrophobicity, conductivity and shielding performance of this film can steadily maintain in outdoor conditions for 100 days. Besides, outstanding flexibility gives the film with superior mechanical fatigue resistance (<10% resistance change after mechanical bending 1000 cycles). This work opens a new avenue for preparing next-generation multifunctional TSFs to meet the various application environments.