MXene coated fabric: can effectively block electromagnetic interference!

Guide

According to a recent report on the official website of Drexel University in the United States, researchers from the school reported a fabric coated with a conductive two-dimensional material MXene, which can highly effectively block electromagnetic waves and potentially harmful radiation.

background

In this ever-changing technological age, the popularization of new technologies has brought great convenience to human life, but security issues are often worrying.

For example, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been widely used in products such as ID cards, credit cards, bank cards, access control cards, and bus cards. However, according to media reports and research by researchers, high-tech hackers will use a digital theft  method, without touching your card, using RFID card readers to steal your card, or even steal your personal Identity Information.

(Image source: Pixabay)

Based on this concern, some manufacturers have begun to use electromagnetic shielding materials to create special wallets, card holders, and pockets that can block external radio frequency signals. These products can block short-range wireless scanning, protect the information in various electronic cards from being remotely stolen and copied by illegal devices, and effectively prevent information leakage. However, some researchers believe that this concern may be overstated, because the information in the card and the information transmitted by the card are often encrypted and difficult to crack.

However, in addition to this function, textiles that block electromagnetic waves can also be used to prevent degaussing, radiation, interference, and so on. As more and more smart fabrics integrate sensing and communication functions, the demand for such fabrics will also increase. In addition, another important application is national defense. This fabric can prevent important equipment from being attacked and tracked by hackers, and it can also prevent personnel from being attacked by strong electromagnetic radiation.

(Image source: New York University Tandon School of Engineering)

Innovation

Recently, researchers from the School of Engineering of Drexel University in the United States reported a fabric coated with a conductive two-dimensional material MXene, which can block electromagnetic waves and potentially harmful radiation highly effectively. The research results were published in the material science journal  CARBON . This discovery is a key development for integrating technical capabilities into clothing and accessories.

(Image source: Drexel University)

Dr. Yury Gogotsi, a professor at Drexel University and the leader of this research, said:  Wearable devices need to be shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by mobile devices. This shielding should be part of the clothing. We have known for a long time that MXene can block electromagnetic interference better than other materials, but this discovery shows that it can effectively attach to fabrics and maintain its unique shielding ability.

technology

This interference comes from the residual electromagnetic field generated by electronic equipment. Users perceive it as a buzzing sound, sluggish or temporary suspension of device functions. This is a short-term trouble, but with the widespread use of mobile devices, wearable devices, and Internet of Things technology, these moments become more and more frequent.

(Image source: CC0 Public Domain)

Professor Gao Guoqi said that to improve the design of these devices, shielding materials need to be used to contain the electromagnetic field generated by the device and to block the interference generated by other devices. About ten years ago, the Gao Guoqi team first manufactured and studied this conductive two-dimensional MXene material, and tested the use of MXene coating to achieve electromagnetic shielding, with satisfactory results.

Gao Guoqi said: MXene is very suitable for shielding because it can be stably produced as a spray coating, ink or paint for use in textiles without adding too much weight or taking up more space. We also It was discovered that MXene shielding can absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves, so it can not only protect wearable devices and electronic tools, but also protect people from strong electromagnetic fields

Coating the cellulose yarn with conductive MXene flakes creates a highly conductive and durable material. (Image source: Drexel University)

Researchers recent findings indicate that this ordinary cotton or linen cloth dipped in the MXene solution will transform it into an equally powerful shielding material that blocks EMI with an efficiency of more than 99.9%.

(Image source: Drexel University)

The small flakes of MXene suspended in the solution naturally adhere to the fibers of traditional cotton and linen fabrics due to their electrical charge. This produces a thorough and long-lasting coating without the need for complicated pre- and post-treatment processes to produce most commercial conductive yarns and fabrics.

Dip coating process (photo source: Drexel University)

As part of the study, after two years of storage under normal conditions, the researchers tested the MXene-coated fabric, and its shielding efficiency only slightly decreased by about 10%.

Simge Uzun, a doctoral student in Gao Guoqi’s research group, said: “This work provides a greatly improved alternative to current EMI shielding textiles. Not only do MXene coated fabrics surpass the performance of commercial metal coated fabrics, but they can also pass The aqueous solution in the form of a coating can be produced sustainably without additional processing or chemical additives.

Information source: IntelligentThings

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