Smart MXene-Based Janus films with multi-responsive actuation capability and high electromagnetic interference shielding performances

Smart electromagnetic interference shielding materials with multi-responsive actuation capability are greatly required for next-generation electronics. Here, a flexible, multi-responsive and electrically conductive graphene oxide (GO)/MXene Janus film is fabricated by a scalable sequential vacuum filtration technique. The hydrophilic feature of both GO and MXene enable the formation of Janus-structured films with strong obscure interfaces, achieving multiple stimuli responses (humidity, light, and electricity) and high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performances. The film actuator can be largely bent from −270° to 460° within a wide relative humidity range and exhibits sensitive and fast actuation responses to near-infrared light and electricity. Additionally, the Janus film can also act as the smart switch and soft walking robot. Furthermore, the presence of the highly conductive MXene layer provides the film with attractive EMI shielding effectiveness of 40 dB at a small thickness of 1.5 μm. As a proof-of-concept, a smart EMI shielding curtain and a stimuli-responsive EMI shielding system are assembled using the Janus film. The smart EMI shielding film could effectively tune signal transmission by stimuli to meet specific shielding needs in intelligent electronics and devices.