Layered ultra-lightweight MXene based composite films for current conduction

Although aviation tools provide many conveniences to our lives, lightning has always been a significant factor affecting the safety of aviation activities. Nevertheless, designing a diverter strip with both favorable conduction current capability and remarkable environmental stability remains a great challenge. Here, a room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) encapsulated Ti3C2Tx/Cu nanowire composite with a stacked structure is reported. Specifically, the assembly of nanowires and nanosheets behaves as an enhanced conductive network, and the encapsulation of RTV gives the film excellent environmental stability. The results show that Cu NWs loading at 10 % the composites can form effective discharge paths along the surface at output voltages of 96.48 and 201.6 kV. Furthermore, the composites exhibit excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 108.09°) and lightweight properties (2.65 g/cm3). Overall, the composite material provides a promising design strategy for the preparation of new shunts that can be applied under realistic conditions.