Advanced Textiles Inspired by Leaf Structure for Enhanced Personal Electromagnetic Protection and Thermal Management

Abstract

In response to the growing challenges posed by increasingly severe electromagnetic radiation environments and diverse personal thermoregulation requirements, the development of wearable devices integrating electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management functionalities has become critical for enhancing human comfort and safety. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of natural leaves, we present a multifunctional wearable material composed of MXene/polyaniline (PANI)/polydopamine (PDA) on a flexible activated carbon fabric (ACC) substrate. This material is fabricated through a facile yet efficient mixed-dimensional assembly strategy, combining two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets with one-dimensional (1D) PANI. The hierarchical architecture of the material mimics the biological structure of leaves, with ACC fabric serving as the robust xylem-like substrate, PANI acting as the phloem-like supporting layer, and MXene nanosheets forming the protective outer layer. The amino groups ( (−NH₂) on PANI function as binding sites, facilitating the formation of hydrogen bonds with both PDA and MXene, thereby enhancing interfacial adhesion and mechanical stability. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of PANI’s inherent conductivity and MXene’s exceptional electrical properties significantly improves the overall conductive network of the fabric. The resulting MXene/PANI/PDA@ACC (MPPA) fabric demonstrates outstanding performance, including high electrical conductivity (384.6 S/m), superior EMI shielding effectiveness (average of 45.81 dB), efficient Joule heating (reaching 94 °C at 5 V), and excellent thermal camouflage capabilities (infrared emissivity of 0.421). Notably, the fabric retains exceptional flexibility, mechanical durability, breathability, and moisture permeability, ensuring superior comfort even under complex environmental conditions. These combined properties position the MPPA fabric as a promising candidate for next-generation wearable technologies, addressing the dual demands of electromagnetic protection and adaptive thermal management.