Multifunctional, efficient, and durable composites of conductive PMIA/Ag membrane

• The chemical plating process has been optimized. • Excellent electromagnetic shielding, joule heating and infrared stealth properties. • Long service life demonstrated by the high-temperature and fatigue test. • As a multifunctional textile applied to special garments. Developing high-efficiency electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite membranes along with additional functionalities to extend the application scenarios is highly desirable for the next generation electronic devices. Here, we report an ultrathin and flexible EMI shielding materials with sensitive Joule heating and outstanding infrared stealth performance was fabricated from poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide (PMIA) and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) through an innovation and simplicity method of electrospinning and electroless plating. Profiting from a continuous three-dimensional (3D) conductive network, the final membrane achieves an outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 100.51 dB (in X-band), a remarkable Joule heating properties with a fast thermal response and low driving voltage (<0.5 V), and an outstanding infrared stealth with a low infrared emissivity (0.28). Meanwhile, the prepared composite membrane demonstrates stable EMI SE even after water washing, continuous bending, and heating treatment. This work integrates high-performance fiber PMIA, characterized by high heat resistance, flame retardancy, self-extinguishing properties, and chemical resistance, with functions such as EMI shielding, infrared stealth, and autonomous thermal management. It has great development potential if utilized in specialized combat uniforms under harsh conditions.