Stretchable, Transparent, and Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Shielding Thin Films Based on Wrinkled MXene Architectures

doi:10.1007/s40820-024-01365-w

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Abstract

With the increasing demand for terahertz (THz) technology in security inspection, medical imaging, and flexible electronics, there is a significant need for stretchable and transparent THz electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Existing EMI shielding materials, like opaque metals and carbon-based films, face challenges in achieving both high transparency and high shielding efficiency (SE). Here, a wrinkled structure strategy was proposed to construct ultra-thin, stretchable, and transparent terahertz shielding MXene films, which possesses both isotropous wrinkles (height about 50 nm) and periodic wrinkles (height about 500 nm). Compared to flat film, the wrinkled MXene film (8 nm) demonstrates a remarkable 36.5% increase in SE within the THz band. The wrinkled MXene film exhibits an EMI SE of 21.1 dB at the thickness of 100 nm, and an average EMI SE/t of 700 dB μm⁻¹ over the 0.1-10 THz. Theoretical calculations suggest that the wrinkled structure enhances the film's conductivity and surface plasmon resonances, resulting in an improved THz wave absorption. Additionally, the wrinkled structure enhances the MXene films' stretchability and stability. After bending and stretching (at 30% strain) cycles, the average THz transmittance of the wrinkled film is only 0.5% and 2.4%, respectively. The outstanding performances of the wrinkled MXene film make it a promising THz electromagnetic shielding materials for future smart windows and wearable electronics.

Key words： Terahertz Wrinkle structure Electromagnetic interference shielding MXene

Received: 22 November 2023 Published: 02 April 2024

Corresponding Authors: Huanjun Chen, Tianwu Wang, Shaozhi Deng, Xuchun Gui

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Shaodian Yang, Zhiqiang Lin, and Ximiao Wang have contributed equally.

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	Shaodian Yang
	Zhiqiang Lin
	Ximiao Wang
	Junhua Huang
	Rongliang Yang
	Zibo Chen
	Yi Jia
	Zhiping Zeng
	Zhaolong Cao
	Hongjia Zhu
	Yougen Hu
	Enen Li
	Huanjun Chen
	Tianwu Wang
	Shaozhi Deng
	Xuchun Gui

Cite this article:

Shaodian Yang,Zhiqiang Lin,Ximiao Wang, et al. Stretchable, Transparent, and Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Shielding Thin Films Based on Wrinkled MXene Architectures[J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 165-.

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https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/10.1007/s40820-024-01365-w OR https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/Y2024/V16/I1/165

Fig. 1 Structural and micromorphology characterization of the Ti3C2Tx MXene films. a Schematic diagram of the wrinkled film, where the visible light can be transmitted, but terahertz waves are effectively isolated. The wrinkled structure results in the enhancement of local SPP, thereby enhancing its absorption of terahertz electromagnetic waves. SEM images of b wrinkle-I film, and c wrinkle-P film. d AFM image of wrinkle-P film. e Digital photo of a wrinkle-I film on a flower. f A wrinkle-I film twisted at the ends. Inset, a lighting LED connected by the twisted wrinkle-I film

Fig. 2 THz wave shielding performance of the MXene film. a EMI SE of wrinkle-I film and flat film in terahertz (0.1-10.0 THz) and visible light (400-780 nm, corresponding to 750-384 THz) bands. b EMI SE of wrinkle-I films with different thicknesses in a frequency range of 0.2-1.6 THz. c EMI SE (@1.0 THz) and visible light transmittance (@550 nm) of wrinkle-I films with different thicknesses. d Transmittance difference (△T) between wrinkle-I and flat films with different thicknesses. Inset: the transmittance of wrinkle-I and flat films at 1.0 THz. e Comparison of the EMI SE/t versus bandwidth between wrinkle-I film and other THz shielding materials (detailed data thereof are listed in Table S1†)

Fig. 3 Transmittance, absorption, and mechanism of the MXene films for THz waves. a Transmittance, and b absorption of wrinkle-I and flat films in a frequency range of 0.2-1.6 THz. c Ratio of transmission, absorption, and reflection of wrinkle-I films with different thicknesses. d Transmission amplitude spectra (up) of the wrinkle-I film, obtained by Fourier transforming the transients (down). e Terahertz sheet resistances of the films in 0.2-1.6 THz. f A comparison of theoretical (Woltersdoff equations) and experimental transmittance for wrinkle-I films (8 nm) at different frequency points

Fig. 4 Stretchability and stability of electromagnetic shielding performance of the wrinkled film. The wrinkle-P film was fabricated by PDMS substrate with pre-stretching strain of 40%. a Relative resistance changes of the wrinkled films during continuous loading and unloading processes. b Relative resistance changes of the wrinkled films under cyclic stretching (left ordinate) and bending (right ordinate). Transmittance of the wrinkle-I film c, and wrinkle-P film d under different tensile strains. Transmittance of the wrinkle-P film under different cycles of e stretching test with a strain of 30%, and f bending test with a bending radius of 8 mm

Fig. 5 Electromagnetic interference shielding application of the wrinkled film in THz imaging. a Optical photos, and b THz imaging photos of an aluminum foil in the shape of Chinese characters of "中" and "大" covered with a PDMS film (left) and wrinkle-I film (right), respectively. c Optical photo, and d THz imaging photo of a wrinkle-P film attached to the surface of a dried bamboo. It demonstrates the transparency, conformability, and THz shielding effect of the film

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