Structural Engineering of MOF-MXene infused Carbon Foam for Ultra-Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Abstract

The upsurge in demand for electronic devices has intensified the need for advanced, lightweight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with exceptional stability and performance for effective mitigation of electromagnetic pollution through shielding measures. Herein, we report a hierarchical composite architecture based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-11 (ZIF-11) and titanium carbide MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ) nanosheets with precise control over variable composite loadings (14%,16%,18%) within the mesoporous carbon foam scaffold. The resulting composite exhibits a three-dimensional conductive framework with enhanced surface area and optimized electrical conductivity achieved through structural and interfacial engineering that synergistically enhance EMI shielding effectiveness. The structural characteristics, phase purity, surface morphology, vibrational modes and thermal stability of as synthesized were systematically investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. Among the three compositions investigated, the optimal composite with 18% filler impregnated carbon foam achieved an outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness of -64 dB in the X-band frequency range (8.2-12.4 GHz), primarily attributed to combined dielectric loss, interfacial polarization, and improved electrical conductivity. Thermogravimetric analysis further reveals enhanced thermal stability of as synthesized up to ~560 °C, highlighting the structural robustness of the system under operational conditions. These results demonstrate a scalable and rational design strategy for developing advanced EMI shielding materials, offering an augmented and robust solution for enhancing electromagnetic shielding properties for the next-generation miniaturized electronics and communication systems.