Superhydrophobic, mechanically robust and self-cleaning MXene/wood composite for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

Designing multifunctional characteristic of MXene-based materials with high efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is crucial for alleviating radiation pollution yet challenging. Nevertheless, the hydrophilicity of MXene-based materials may result in the reduction of electromagnetic shielding performance in humid environments. In this study, superhydrophobic, mechanically robust, and EMI shielding-effective composite of MXene/Wood (WP-MXene/Delignified wood) is fabricated via a facile and effective thermocompression combined with dip-coating approach. The MXene nanosheets are uniformly distributed in the hierarchical porous structure, which endows the WP-MXene/Delignified wood with remarkable mechanical performance with a tensile strength of approximately 111.4 MPa, and excellent electromagnetic shielding of 43.4 dB. In addition, such composite also possesses prominent waterproof property with a contact angle of 155.1°. The high-strength, superhydrophobic MXene-based wood with superior electromagnetic shielding performance holds tremendous application prospects for EMI shielding and energy-efficient buildings.