Three-Dimensionally Crosslinked MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Dual Protection of Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding

Three-Dimensionally Crosslinked MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Dual Protection of Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Three-Dimensionally Crosslinked MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Dual Protection of Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding Yajing Wang, Xiuchen Wang, Meiyan Liu, Xing Rong, Siyu Fang, Liu Zhe This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 29 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract With the rapid evolution of intelligent battlefields and unmanned systems, multifunctional protective materials that are lightweight, flexible, mechanically robust, and capable of dynamic infrared (IR) response have drawn increasing attention. MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ), owing to its outstanding electromagnetic properties, is considered a promising candidate. However, its applications are restricted by poor nanosheet orientation and weak interfacial interactions during macroscopic assembly, leading to limited mechanical performance and stability. Here, we report an assembly strategy in which MXene nanosheets are heterogeneously crosslinked with waterborne polyurethane (TPU) and induced by blade-coating to form a large-area, stable three-dimensional (3D) interpenetrating network (IPN), greatly enhancing mechanical strength and scalability. Through hot-press integration with fabrics, a Janus flexible fabric with adaptive IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding was fabricated. The fabric exhibits a low emissivity of 0.185 over 3–14 μm, outperforming most MXene-based composites and maintaining effective camouflage under high, ambient, and low temperatures. The opposite surface displays a high emissivity of 0.838, enabling rapid thermal release and adaptive regulation. Moreover, the Janus fabric achieves an average shielding effectiveness (SE) of 45 dB in the X-band, combined with an ultimate fabric strength of 1196 N and an ultrathin thickness of 0.4 mm, demonstrating superior overall performance compared with conventional MXene-based materials. This scalable film-construction and fabric-integration strategy provides a new platform for multifunctional protection, enabling synergistic IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding in a lightweight, flexible structure, with broad prospects in military camouflage, electronic information security, and smart wearable systems. MXene heterogeneous assembly Janus fabric EMI shielding Infrared stealth Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 1 Introduction In the context of the rapid development of information perception and environmental monitoring technologies, how to effectively resist external detection and electromagnetic interference (EMI) has become a core issue in the protection field [1-3] . IR camouflage technology can efficiently suppress the IR thermal radiation signature of objects, thereby evading detection by thermal imaging devices and IR-guided systems, and it has been increasingly applied in scenarios such as military equipment, field reconnaissance, and emergency concealment [4, 5] . However, most existing IR stealth materials are designed in a static manner, making it difficult for them to adapt to the complex and dynamic background conditions of the battlefield, thus highlighting the urgent need for novel stealth systems with adaptive regulation capabilities. Meanwhile, under the conditions of informationized warfare, the high integration and density of electronic devices have brought about severe problems of EMI and leakage, where reliance on IR stealth alone can no longer meet the protection requirements of the new generation [6-8] . Therefore, the development of multifunctional and flexible protective materials with both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding capabilities has become an urgent research demand in the fields of military defense and intelligent wearable systems. Surface emissivity regulation is a key technical strategy for suppressing IR radiation to evade thermal imaging surveillance [9] . Low-emissivity metallic materials (e.g., Al, Cu, Ag, Ni), owing to their excellent electrical conductivity [10, 11] , are often incorporated into polymers [12] or deposited onto flexible substrates via sputtering [13] , electroplating [14] , or spraying, to form conductive and IR-reflective layers that enable both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding functions. However, these approaches typically suffer from poor dispersion, easy oxidation, weak adhesion, and insufficient structural stability [10, 15-17] . MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional transition metal carbon/nitride, possesses excellent electrical conductivity, abundant surface functional groups, and tunable plasmonic properties. Its bandgap transitions and surface plasmon resonance peaks span the near-IR wavelength range [18, 19] , endowing it with low emissivity characteristics that make it highly promising for IR stealth applications [20] . Meanwhile, MXene exhibits strong coupling with electromagnetic waves spanning the terahertz to gigahertz range, demonstrating outstanding EMI shielding performance [21-23] . For instance, Wang et al. [24] fabricated MXene films via vacuum-assisted filtration, achieving an IR emissivity as low as 0.19 in the 7–14 μm band. Nevertheless, the resulting films suffer from weak interfacial interactions, surface roughness, and poor mechanical robustness, and the method is challenging to scale up for large-area fabrication, which significantly limits their further applications [25-27] . Some researchers have attempted to composite MXenes with cellulose, carbon nanotubes, and other components to fabricate films [28, 29] , aiming to improve their mechanical properties and environmental adaptability. However, such strategies often compromise the IR stealth performance and remain difficult to scale up for large-area fabrication, thereby lacking scalability. According to the Boltzmann law ( E = εσT⁴ ), the thermal insulation capacity of a material also significantly influences its IR radiation intensity [30] . Therefore, another line of research has focused on constructing porous conductive networks, such as MXene aerogels or foams, to reduce thermal conductivity and thereby achieve both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding functionalities. Nevertheless, these porous structures are typically accompanied by increased thickness and reduced flexibility, which ultimately restrict their practical application range [31, 32] . Notably, fabric-based MXene composites require no additional support structures, combining flexibility, thinness, low density, and outstanding mechanical properties. They demonstrate significant advantages in diverse applications such as wearable devices, tarpaulins, and aircraft skins [33-36] . Current studies predominantly employ methods such as dip-coating, spraying, or blade coating for fabrication; however, the adhesion of MXene on fabric surfaces is often nonuniform, resulting in performance fluctuations and insufficient durability [37-39] . Thus, constructing stable and efficient MXene–fabric integrated structures remains a critical challenge. In addition, MXene-based materials are characterized by low IR radiation intensity, which makes them suitable primarily for scenarios where the target temperature is higher than the background environment, such as nighttime or forest conditions. By contrast, under midday or desert environments, additional radiative energy compensation is required to match the background temperature for effective camouflage. Therefore, the development of multifunctional flexible materials that integrate tunable IR response, electromagnetic shielding, and lightweight softness is of great significance for meeting application demands under varying environmental conditions. In this work, we proposed an assembly strategy based on the hetero-crosslinking of waterborne TPU with MXene to construct large-area and stable 3D interpenetrating networks, which significantly enhance the synergistic interactions between MXene nanosheets. By integrating blade-coating technology, uniform film formation and scalable large-area fabrication of MXene were achieved. Compared with MXene films prepared by conventional vacuum filtration, the prepared films exhibit approximately 5-fold higher stress and 40-fold higher strain, with ultimate elongation reaching 60%. They demonstrate exceptional flexibility and damage resistance during complex tensile movements, while also possessing outstanding environmental adaptability and scalability. On this basis, a Janus-structured fabric was further developed by combining hot-press molding with fabric integration, delivering ultrahigh tensile strength (1196 N), ultralow IR emissivity (0.185), and exceptional electromagnetic SE (average 45 dB), thereby achieving dual protection of IR stealth and EMI shielding. Beyond being lightweight and flexible, the Janus fabric can also adapt to complex thermal backgrounds through structural flipping, enabling rapid IR response and camouflage modulation. This work offers an innovative pathway for constructing multifunctional flexible protective systems with adaptive stealth capabilities under dynamic battlefield environments. 2 MXene Nanosheet-Driven Design Strategy for Janus-Structured Fabrics For achieving an ultra-thin multifunctional flexible material that combines excellent mechanical properties with adaptive IR camouflage and EMI shielding capabilities, we proposed a design strategy for Janus fabric based on MXene nanosheets. This strategy integrates a high-strength, low-IR-emissivity MXene/TPU 3D IPN with stainless steel conductive fabric featuring high IR radiation capability, thereby constructing a Janus structure with markedly distinct functionalities on its two sides. Benefiting from this asymmetric structural design, the fabric can flexibly adapt to different environments through simple flipping, achieving dual protection of IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding, thereby meeting the adaptive camouflage requirements under complex battlefield conditions (Fig.1a). As shown in Fig. 1b， in terms of material construction, waterborne TPU was introduced as a flexible network to synergistically assemble with MXene nanosheets, forming a 3D IPN structure that markedly enhances stress transfer and interfacial bonding between nanosheets. The hard segments of TPU interact with the surface functional groups of MXene via hydrogen bonding or chemical interactions, while the flexible soft segments infiltrate into the interlayer spacing as bridges, thereby achieving a balance between mechanical toughness and low IR emissivity while maintaining electrical continuity. By employing a blade-coating process, MXene films with large-area uniformity were obtained, offering greater controllability and scalability compared with traditional vacuum filtration methods. In terms of fabric integration, a one-step hot-pressing process was used to efficiently combine MXene/TPU (MT) films with stainless steel fabrics, endowing the fabric with a characteristic Janus configuration. The MXene/TPU@Fabric (MTF) side exhibits low IR radiation intensity, which is advantageous for thermal radiation suppression in low-temperature backgrounds such as nighttime or forest environments. In contrast, the Fabric@MXene/TPU (FMT) side, benefiting from the high emissivity and thermal conductivity of metallic fibers, is more suitable for thermal dissipation and IR camouflage under high-temperature conditions. Such spatially differentiated functionalities enable the fabric to achieve environment-adaptive IR responses through simple flipping. Benefiting from the high electrical conductivity of MXene and the continuous conductive network of stainless steel fibers, the fabric generates reflection, absorption, and interfacial polarization losses under electromagnetic irradiation, thereby exhibiting excellent EMI shielding performance. Through the synergistic effects of mechanical reinforcement by the 3D IPN, functional differentiation of the Janus dual surfaces, and multiple electromagnetic loss mechanisms, this work realizes a structurally and functionally integrated MXene-nanosheet-driven fabric that combines adaptive IR regulation with efficient EMI shielding. This work provides a new design paradigm for the development of next-generation multifunctional protective systems and intelligent textiles. 3 Experimental Section 3.1 Materials Ti₃AlC₂ (MAX) powder (≥98.0%, 400 mesh) was purchased from Jilin 11 Technology, China. Lithium fluoride (LiF, AR, 99%) and hydrochloric acid (HCl, 38%) were obtained from Macklin Biochemical and Tongjie Chemical Reagent, respectively. Waterborne TPU solution was supplied by Yilai Technology, and conductive fabric (200 g/m²) was obtained from Zhiyuan Xiangyu Functional Fabrics. Hot-melt adhesive film (XJU120) was purchased from Xingxia Products. Deionized (DI) water was produced using an ultrapure water purification system. 3.2 Preparation of MXene First, 2 g of LiF was dissolved in 40 mL of 9 M HCl solution in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) reactor and stirred at room temperature for 5 min. Subsequently, 2 g of Ti₃AlC₂ was slowly added to the LiF/HCl mixture and magnetically stirred at 40 °C for 31 h. The resulting suspension was washed several times with DI water and centrifuged at 3900 rpm until the pH approached neutral. The MXene precipitate was then redispersed in DI water and collected as multilayer MXene particles via vacuum filtration. Finally, the obtained MXene nanosheets were dried in a vacuum oven at 60 °C and stored below 4 °C until use. 3.3 Preparation of Large-Area MXene/TPU Films Firstly, the MXene aqueous dispersion was placed in an ice-water bath and sonicated for 3 hours to achieve initial dispersion. Subsequently, it was processed in a cell disruptor for 10 minutes to break up flake agglomerates, followed by another 2 hours of sonication to obtain a uniformly dispersed MXene solution. Next, add the aqueous TPU solution to the MXene dispersion and magnetically stir at 1000 rpm for 3 hours. After stirring, allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes to remove entrapped gas. Prior to coating, the PET release film surface was cleaned with anhydrous ethanol. The prepared MT ink was dispensed onto the release film surface, with film thickness controlled by adjusting the differential head of the squeegee. After coating, the sample was left to stand at room temperature for 30 min for initial solvent evaporation, followed by drying in a vacuum oven at 60°C for 3 h, ultimately yielding a flexible MT film. To optimize film performance, MT films with different weight ratios (9:1, 8:2, and 7:3), denoted as 90 wt.%, 80 wt.%, and 70 wt.%, respectively, were systematically investigated. Under the MT ratio of 9:1, the concentration of MXene dispersions was further adjusted (10%–70%), and the corresponding films were denoted as MT-10, MT-20, … MT-70, to identify the optimal composite ratio and film-forming parameters. 3.4 Preparation of MXene Nanosheets -Driven Janus fabric The efficient transfer and integration of MT films with conductive fabrics were achieved through a one-step hot-pressing process. Specifically, the MT film, hot-melt adhesive film, and conductive fabric were sequentially stacked, followed by hot-pressing at 120 °C under applied pressure to form stable and robust interfacial bonding between the film and fabric. The resulting composite fabric exhibited a Janus structural configuration with multifunctional properties. 3.5 Characterization The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the MXene films, MT films, and Janus fabrics were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM, QUANTA-450 FEG) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The surface topography of films was further characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM, AIST-NT), while the microstructure of single-layer MXene nanosheets was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, JEM-F200, JEOL). The crystalline structures were analyzed by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD, Miniflex 600, Rigaku). Fourier-transform IR spectra (FTIR, ALPHA, Bruker) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, K-Alpha, Thermo Fisher) were employed to investigate the chemical compositions. MT films were fabricated using an integrated vacuum-assisted thermal coating system equipped with a wire rod applicator. The tensile properties of MT films were measured on a single-fiber strength tester (LLY-06E) with strip specimens (0.5 × 3 cm) at a strain rate of 5 mm/min, while the fabric mechanical performance was evaluated using an electronic fabric strength tester (YG026MG) with 50 × 100 mm samples at 100 mm/min. Thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, Mettler Toledo) in N₂ from 30 to 800 °C at 20 °C/min. IR emissivity in the 2.5–15 μm wavelength range was recorded by FTIR spectrometer, and emissivity (ε) was calculated according to Kirchhoff's law (ε = 1 − R). IR images and thermal data were collected using an IR thermal camera (TESTO865). Thermal conductivity was measured by a thermal constant analyzer (TC3000E). The surface temperature variations of Janus fabrics under simulated solar irradiation were tested using a xenon lamp system. Electrical conductivity was determined by a four-point probe resistivity tester (HPS2611), with film thickness measured by a digital micrometer. The EMI SE was evaluated by a vector network analyzer (VNA, PAN-LN523B) in the 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band) range. 4 Results and Discussion 4.1 Fabrication and Structural Characterization of Large-Area MXene/TPU Films Multilayer-stacked MXene nanosheets were successfully synthesized via in situ etching. EDS mapping revealed a uniform distribution of Ti, C, O, and F elements on the nanosheet surfaces, confirming the characteristic surface composition of MXene (Fig. S1a, S1b). XRD patterns further verified the transformation of the Ti₃AlC₂ precursor into Ti₃C₂Tₓ (Fig. 3a), as evidenced by the distinct shift of the (002) diffraction peak from 9.68° to 6.44°, indicating enlarged interlayer spacing and effective removal of Al atoms [40] . The obtained MXene nanosheets were subsequently dispersed in DI water, and after ultrasonication and cell disruption, a stable colloidal suspension with a pronounced Tyndall effect was formed (Fig. S1c). TEM images revealed single and few-layer nanosheets with sharp edges and smooth surfaces (Fig. S2), corroborating their efficient exfoliation and excellent dispersibility, thereby providing a solid foundation for the subsequent fabrication of uniform and compact composite films. Fig.2 a Schematic illustration of the heterogeneous crosslinking-induced blade-coating process of MT films. Inset: MT ink and a digital photograph of a large-area MT film (35 cm × 20 cm). b Cross-sectional and surface SEM images of pure MXene and MT films. c Thickness and surface morphology of MT films with different MXene/TPU mass ratios. d Electrical conductivity and thickness of MT films prepared with different MXene solution concentrations. e Droplet contraction and local cracking phenomena in MT-10 films. f AFM image of the surface of pure MXene film. g AFM images of both surfaces of MT film MT ink was prepared by mixing MXene with a Waterborne TPU solution via magnetic stirring and vacuum degassing (Fig. 2a). Online Resource 1 also demonstrates the process of preparing films using the MT ink. To obtain MXene conductive films with outstanding performance, the mass ratio of MXene to TPU was systematically optimized. The results indicate that when the MXene dispersion concentration was 40 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL, only the MT films prepared at 90 wt.% exhibited both good electrical conductivity (Fig. S3) and dense, smooth surface morphology (Fig. 2c). This is because TPU is an insulating polymer, and excessive content weakens the conductive network among MXene nanosheets, leading to reduced conductivity. In contrast, an appropriate TPU fraction does not significantly disrupt the conductive pathways, while improving film flexibility and formability, thereby enabling synergistic optimization of conductivity and surface quality. Further tuning of the MXene concentration in the inks revealed that increasing nanosheet content enhanced electrical conductivity by establishing continuous conductive networks, while uniform film thickness was obtained only at moderate concentrations (Fig. 2d). At low MXene concentrations (10 mg/mL), excess water molecules increase the surface tension of the ink above the substrate surface energy, resulting in poor wettability, droplet shrinkage, and local film cracking (Fig. 2e). At high concentrations (70 mg/mL), the ink flow and spreading were restricted, preventing spontaneous thickness leveling and leading to local accumulation or depression of the film. As shown in Fig. 2b, the cross-sectional SEM image of the MT film reveals a compact layered structure formed through multicomponent crosslinking-induced assembly. In contrast, the pure MXene film prepared by vacuum filtration exhibits a loosely stacked multilayer configuration, where the nanosheets are primarily connected by weak van der Waals forces. The absence of external structural constraints results in a fragile architecture, thereby limiting its feasibility for practical applications. In the MT films, the incorporation of waterborne TPU facilitates the formation of a hydrogen-bonded network, in which the hydrophilic groups of TPU interact with the abundant surface terminations of MXene (–OH, –COOH, –F), giving rise to a stable 3D interpenetrating structure (Fig. 2a). AFM scanning of a 9 μm × 9 μm surface region further confirmed the superior surface quality of MT films. Guided by the shear force during blade coating, one surface exhibited a markedly smoother morphology with a root-mean-square roughness (Sq) of only 34 nm (Fig. 2g), while the opposite side showed slightly higher roughness but still performed significantly better than pure MXene films (Sq = 119 nm). Statistical analysis of long-range height fluctuations along random surface regions indicated that the amplitude variations of the two MT film surfaces were only 0.16 and 0.37 times those of pure MXene films (Fig. S4). These results highlight the remarkable advantages of MT films over conventional MXene films in terms of structural uniformity and interfacial quality. 4.2 Heterogeneous Crosslinking and Hydrogen Bonding of MXene/TPU Films Notably, the abundant chemical bonds in aqueous TPU can form compounds or hydrogen bonds with the surface terminations of MXene through heterogeneous crosslinking. Such interactions are the key factor facilitating the construction of a 3D IPN between MXene and TPU. To gain deeper insights into the interfacial mechanism, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and XPS analyses were performed. As shown in Fig. 3b, the FTIR spectrum of the MT-40 film exhibits a broadened, intensified, and red-shifted absorption peak at 3438 cm⁻¹ compared with pure MXene. This result indicates strong hydrogen bonding between the abundant surface functional groups of MXene (–OH, –COOH, –F) and the –NH and C=O groups in the urethane chains of TPU, leading to a stable hydrogen-bonded network. In addition, the C=O stretching vibration peak shifts from 1727 cm⁻¹ to 1599 cm⁻¹ with noticeable broadening, suggesting the possible presence of synergistic covalent interactions [41] . Fig. 3 a XRD patterns of Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₃C₂Tx. b FTIR spectra of pure MXene films, TPU films, and MT-40 films. c XRD patterns of TPU and MT films at different MXene concentrations. d XPS spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films. e Ti 2p spectra and f O 1s spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films The interfacial interactions were further verified by Raman spectroscopy (Fig. S5). The characteristic peaks of MXene appeared at 122 cm⁻¹ (ω₁), 201 cm⁻¹ (ω₂), 283/375 cm⁻¹ (Ti₃C₂(OH)₂, ω₅), and 594/725 cm⁻¹ (Ti₃C₂O₂, ω₄/ω₃). Notably, the peaks at 375 cm⁻¹ and 725 cm⁻¹ exhibited red shifts, indicating that the =O functional groups on the MXene surface reacted with the functional groups in TPU. In addition, the emergence of a new Raman-active peak at ~156 cm⁻¹ suggested the formation of new interfacial structures or interactions during the composite process [42, 43] . XRD analysis further corroborated these structural changes (Fig. 3c). The characteristic (002) diffraction peak of MXene gradually shifted from 6.44° to 4.78° with varying MXene concentrations, demonstrating that the introduction of TPU effectively regulated the interlayer spacing of MXene nanosheets. Such interlayer spacing variation can be attributed to intercalation of TPU molecules or interfacial interactions that induced structural rearrangements, thereby further validating the proposed hydrogen-bonding/covalent crosslinking mechanism. XPS analysis revealed trace signals of Li 1s and F 1s at 58.67 and 684.86 eV, respectively (Fig. 3d), confirming the selective etching of Al from Ti₃AlC₂ to produce Ti₃C₂Tₓ. In the high-resolution Ti 2p spectrum of MXene (Fig. 3e), spin–orbit coupling splits the Ti 2p levels into Ti 2p₁/₂ and Ti 2p₃/₂ doublets, with an energy separation of ~5.7 eV [44] . The peaks located at 454.45, 455.38, 456.44, and 458.01 eV correspond to Ti–C (2p₃/₂), Ti(II) (2p₃/₂), Ti–O (2p₃/₂), and TiO₂ (2p₃/₂) bonds, respectively. Upon the incorporation of TPU, the main Ti 2p peaks exhibited a positive shift of ~0.1–0.5 eV with significantly increased intensity, indicating changes in the electronic environment around Ti atoms. This shift may originate from hydrogen bonding or coordination interactions between polar groups in TPU (e.g., –C=O, –NH) and MXene [45, 46] . In the O 1s spectrum (Fig. 3f), the peaks at ~529, 530.39, 532.09, and 532.89 eV were assigned to O–Ti (TiO₂), C–Ti–Oₓ (I), C–Ti–(OH)ₓ (II), and H₂O, respectively [47] . After the introduction of TPU, these O 1s peaks also exhibited pronounced shifts and intensity changes, further confirming the presence of interfacial interactions. Collectively, these XPS results demonstrate that the interface of MXene and TPU is not limited to physical blending but also involves stable interfacial chemical crosslinking through hydrogen bonding and possible covalent interactions, which contribute to enhanced structural stability and overall performance of the composite films. 4.3 Mechanical Flexibility and Environmental Adaptability of MXene/TPU Films To assess the application potential and scalability of MT films in diverse scenarios, systematic evaluations of their mechanical properties, wettability, and thermal stability were performed. The incorporation of waterborne TPU markedly enhanced the structural integrity of the films while simultaneously improving their flexibility and environmental adaptability. As shown in Figs 4a and 4b, the stress–strain curves reveal a remarkable enhancement in the mechanical properties of MT films. In contrast, pure MXene films exhibit weak interlayer interactions and poor structural compactness, leading to limited tensile strength and fracture toughness. Brittle fracture behavior is typically observed in pure MXene films, which severely restricts their mechanical adaptability in practical applications. With the incorporation of waterborne TPU, however, the tensile stress of MT-20 films was increased by nearly 5-fold and the strain increased by 40-fold, resulting in an ultimate elongation of 60%. Such improvements enable effective resistance to complex tensile stresses and external impacts, thereby demonstrating outstanding flexibility. This superior mechanical performance is primarily attributed to the formation of a 3D IPN, constructed through the synergistic interaction of MXene and TPU (Fig. 4c). Within this structure, the flexible soft segments of TPU penetrate into the interlayers and lamellar gaps of MXene, acting as flexible bridges to reinforce interlayer bonding. Consequently, stress transfer efficiency and strain dissipation are enhanced, effectively suppressing failure modes such as interfacial debonding and structural collapse. The MT films exhibited excellent mechanical compliance, allowing repeated twisting without structural damage and achieving tight conformability to irregular surfaces (Online Resource 2). Notably, MT-20 films maintained robust mechanical performance while simultaneously offering superior IR stealth properties. At a relatively low MXene concentration (20 mg/mL), the emissivity values in the mid- and far-IR ranges were reduced to 0.38 (3–5 μm) and 0.28 (8–14 μm), respectively (Fig. S6). When the MXene content was increased to 40 mg/mL (MT-40), the emissivity further decreased to 0.26 (3–5 μm) and 0.19 (8–14 μm), thereby significantly enhancing the IR camouflage capability. Furthermore, the film thickness can be precisely controlled via a spin-coating process, achieving a minimum thickness of 0.034 μm (Fig. S7), combining lightweight, flexible, and multifunctional integration advantages. Surface wettability is a key parameter that determines the environmental adaptability and practical usability of materials, and it becomes particularly important for IR stealth materials that are required to withstand complex environments. In MT films, the introduction of waterborne TPU with relatively low surface energy, combined with the shear-induced alignment of MXene nanosheets during the blade-coating process, facilitates the formation of a dense and uniform surface structure. Consequently, the MT films exhibit weakly hydrophobic yet low-adhesive wetting behavior, together with a certain degree of self-cleaning capability (Fig. 4d and Online Resource 3). Moreover, when pure MXene films and MT-40 films were subjected to 5 h of ultrasonic treatment followed by 24 h storage under ambient conditions, the MT-40 films maintained good structural integrity (Fig. 4d), whereas the pure MXene films were completely destroyed. This result demonstrates the strong interfacial interactions between TPU and MXene, which markedly improve the structural stability and environmental durability of the composite films in humid environments (Fig. 4f). Fig. 4 a Stress-strain curve of MT-20 film. b Stress-strain curves of pure MXene film and MT films at different MXene concentrations. c Mechanical stretching mechanism of MT films. d Wetting characteristics of pure MXene films and MT-40 films. e TGA and DTG curves of MT-40 composite films. f Environmental adaptation properties of MT films The thermal stability of pure MXenes and MT-40 films was evaluated by TGA. The pure MXene film exhibited no significant mass loss when heated from room temperature to 800 °C, retaining 90% of its residual mass at the end. The observed weight loss of MXene can be attributed to the release of adsorbed water, the desorption or decomposition of surface functional groups (e.g., -OH and -F), as well as the oxidation or structural degradation of MXene itself [48] (Fig. S8a). In comparison, the thermal stability of MT films decreased as the MXene content was reduced (Fig. S8b). Nevertheless, even at relatively low MXene loading, the MT-40 film maintained 35.6% residual mass at 800 °C. The residue primarily consisted of MXene decomposition products, including TiO₂ and titanium carbide phases [49, 50] , since both the soft and hard segments of waterborne TPU were completely degraded at 442 °C (Fig. S8c). Notably, the major weight loss of the MT-40 film occurred between 363–420 °C, whereas the film preserved good structural stability and resistance to thermal decomposition below 360 °C (Fig. 4e). This finding highlights the application potential of MT-40 films in medium- to high-temperature environments (Fig. 4f). 4.4 MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Combined Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding 4.4.1 Infrared Stealth Performance Given the excellent mechanical properties and environmental adaptability of MT films, we further expand their application scenarios by integrating them efficiently with fabrics, which are inherently soft, lightweight, and structurally supportive. This integration leads to the construction of Janus structures with distinctly different IR responses on the two sides. Such spatially differentiated functionality enables the fabrics to flexibly adapt to diverse environmental backgrounds simply by flipping, thereby achieving adaptive IR stealth responses (Fig. 5a). The resulting samples exhibit an ultrathin thickness of only 0.4 mm and an areal density of 0.03 g/cm² (Fig. 5b), highlighting their ultralight and flexible characteristics. These features lay a solid foundation for potential applications in camouflage tents, tarpaulins, equipment skins, and intelligent wearable devices. According to Planck's law, any object with a temperature above 0 K emits thermal radiation [30] . The Stefan–Boltzmann law further states that the radiation intensity of an object is proportional to the fourth power of its surface temperature and to the IR emissivity of the material [9] . Based on these principles, the IR camouflage performance of Janus fabrics was evaluated by measuring the IR emissivity of MT-20@Fabric (MT20F), MT-30@Fabric (MT30F), MT-40@Fabric (MT40F), and their flipped surfaces (FMT) in the 3–14 μm wavelength range (Fig. 5c). The results show that MT40F exhibits an emissivity as low as 0.125, with an average value of only 0.185, surpassing most reported MXene-based IR stealth materials (Fig. 5i and Table S1). The low emissivity of MT40F is mainly attributed to the metallic conductivity and high free carrier density of MXene, which effectively reflects thermal radiation in the mid- and long-wave IR regions. In addition, its two-dimensional layered structure and smooth surface further reduce IR penetration and scattering, thereby enhancing the shielding effect. As the MXene content in the MT films decreases, the emissivity gradually increases, confirming the dominant role of MXene in achieving low-emissivity performance. Notably, the opposite surface of MT40F (FMT) exhibits a high emissivity of 0.838, and its strong IR radiation capability is more favorable for thermal dissipation and camouflage regulation in high-temperature environments. Fig. 5 a Janus fabric integrating MT film and fabric is suitable for diverse background environments. b Digital images of the areal density and thickness of Janus fabric. c IR emissivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and FMT. d Thermal IR image of the hand in ambient temperature conditions. e IR temperature variation on the surface of MT40F under high-temperature and low-temperature environments. f Thermal IR images of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabric on a 150°C heating platform. g Thermal conductivity coefficients of the FMT side and MTF side of the Janus fabric. h Temperature variation on the FMT side of the Janus fabric under different solar radiation intensities. i Comparison of IR emissivity versus thickness for this work and other recently reported composite materials in the IR band To comprehensively evaluate the IR thermal camouflage performance of MT40F, tests were conducted under ambient, high-temperature, and low-temperature conditions. In ambient conditions, where the temperature of the human hand is consistently higher than that of the surrounding environment, the MT40F fabric effectively blocked the thermal signal of the hand through thermal insulation and reduced surface IR emissivity, lowering the thermal radiation temperature difference between the hand and the environment to 0.5 °C. This reduction rendered the covered target invisible in the IR image (Fig. 5d). In high-temperature environments, MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and FMT samples were placed on a heating stage at 150 °C, and their average surface temperature variations were recorded (Fig. 5f). During 60 min of heating, the MTF series exhibited only minor temperature fluctuations, with MT40F showing the smallest fluctuation (<0.5 °C) and maintaining a temperature difference with the environment below 71 °C throughout the process (Fig. 5e), further confirming its feasibility as an IR camouflage material. In low-temperature environments, when the MT40F sample was attached to the surface of an ice block (Fig. S9), its temperature remained close to the ambient room temperature with a relatively stable temperature difference (Fig. 5e), further demonstrating its excellent thermal camouflage capability under cold conditions. In summary, MT40F maintained a low IR radiation level under different thermal backgrounds, indicating outstanding environmental adaptability and thermal camouflage performance. 4.4.2 Electromagnetic Shielding Performance In addition to the outstanding adaptive IR stealth capability, the Janus fabric also exhibits remarkable electromagnetic shielding performance owing to its unique structural design and high electrical conductivity, making it an effective barrier against EMI. Taking MT40F as an example, its average SE in the X-band reaches 45 dB, with a maximum value of 58 dB (Fig. 6a), corresponding to an electromagnetic wave shielding efficiency of over 99.99%. Furthermore, normalized analysis reveals that its specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) reaches as high as 1933 dB·cm²·g⁻¹, indicating that even under lightweight and ultrathin conditions, the fabric maintains excellent shielding capability sufficient to meet the EMI protection requirements of most electronic devices. It is worth emphasizing that the mass fraction of MXene is a key factor in determining both the electromagnetic SE and electrical conductivity of Janus fabrics (Fig. 6b). With increasing MXene content, the nanosheets gradually stack and form continuous conductive networks, which not only facilitate efficient electron transport but also extend the propagation path of electromagnetic waves within the material and enhance multiple reflections. Moreover, the synergistic effect between the macroscopic conductive yarns in the fabric and the surface-embedded MXene nanosheets leads to the formation of a hierarchical conductive network. At the macroscopic scale, good continuity is ensured, while at the microscopic scale, high-density charge transfer channels are provided, thereby strengthening the interactions between electromagnetic waves and the material. Under this mechanism, incident electromagnetic waves are first strongly reflected at the MXene layer, while the unreflected portion undergoes further absorption and scattering at the MXene–fabric interface, gradually establishing a multi-stage shielding pathway of reflection, absorption, scattering, and attenuation, which significantly improves the overall shielding efficiency (Fig. 6c). In contrast, MT20F, with its lower MXene content, fails to form complete conductive pathways, resulting in insufficient conductivity and limited shielding performance. Therefore, rational regulation of MXene content, combined with fabric structural design, is a key strategy for improving the electromagnetic SE of Janus fabrics. Notably, the composite Janus fabrics rely more on absorption than on reflection as the dominant shielding mechanism (Fig. S10), achieving a balance between high shielding efficiency and low reflection that better meets the stringent requirements for electromagnetic compatibility in complex application scenarios. Fig. 6 a Electromagnetic SE of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. b Electrical conductivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. c Stress-strain curves of Janus fabric and conductive fabric. d Electromagnetic shielding mechanism of Janus fabric. e Performance comparison between MT40F fabric and other MXene-integrated materials (MXene/PI/mE [51] , MXene/ ANF [52] , MXene/Cotton [53] , MXene/polyvinyl alcohol [54] ) In addition, the Janus fabric demonstrates excellent flexibility and mechanical load-bearing capacity when resisting external forces and adapting to complex stretching conditions. As shown in the stress–strain curve in Fig. 6d, the Janus fabric can withstand a maximum tensile force of 1196 N, and exhibits a certain creep tendency at medium and high load stages due to yarn slippage and local microstructural adjustments. In comparison, the Janus composite structure benefits from multi-interface reinforcement and interfacial constraint effects, which effectively enhance both ultimate strength and ductility while suppressing creep behavior to some extent, thereby ensuring superior mechanical stability and structural integrity. Furthermore, compared with previously reported MXene-based integrated materials (Fig. 6e), the Janus fabric not only maintains outstanding mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties but also combines ultralow IR emissivity, ultrathin and lightweight characteristics, as well as good scalability and controllable large-area fabrication capability, highlighting its remarkable advantages in the field of flexible protective materials. 4.5 Multi-Scenario Adaptability and Application Prospects of Janus Fabrics Large-area and controllable fabrication of MXene films was achieved through a blade-coating process, followed by efficient integration with fabrics via a simple and effective one-step hot-pressing method, resulting in flexible composite fabrics with Janus characteristics. Benefiting from the dual-sided functional differences and material synergistic effects, the Janus fabric exhibits excellent dynamic IR response regulation and stable electromagnetic shielding performance under complex environments, highlighting its outstanding potential for multi-scenario adaptability. In terms of mechanical performance (Online Resource 4), the fabric achieved a maximum tensile strength of 60 MPa at a stretching rate of 10 cm/min and maintained good interfacial adhesion during fracture, demonstrating superior structural stability and load-bearing capacity. Moreover, owing to its flexibility and conformability, the fabric can seamlessly adhere to surfaces with large curvatures and multiple orientations (Online Resource 5), showing great promise for applications in various critical fields. Fig. 7 Application Prospects and Fields of Janus Fabric. a IR stealth applications of Janus fabric's FMT side and b MTF side as tarps and tents in a different background environment. c Electromagnetic shielding and IR stealth applications of Janus fabric in portable power bank tarps. d Applications of Janus fabric in human motion and health monitoring In the field of military protection, battlefield environments are complex and variable, often involving drastic temperature fluctuations and diverse enemy detection methods, where conventional single-mode stealth materials are insufficient to meet practical demands. In contrast, the Janus fabric, with its reversible dual-sided structure, can freely switch between low-emission and high-emission modes while simultaneously providing electromagnetic shielding. This enables environmentally adaptive stealth protection for camouflage tents, tarpaulins, and equipment skins, which holds significant strategic importance (Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b). In the field of electronics and information security, Janus fabrics not only achieve efficient EMI shielding but also reduce the IR radiation signature of devices through the MTF side, thereby enhancing concealment and information confidentiality. Meanwhile, the FMT side, owing to its high emissivity and thermal conductivity, can rapidly dissipate heat, ensuring the stable operation of high-performance devices under harsh environmental conditions (Fig. 7c). In the field of intelligent wearables, the intrinsic conductive network of Janus fabrics enables them to serve as flexible sensing layers that can be integrated with sensors for physiological or environmental monitoring, thereby promoting the development of protective textiles toward multifunctionality and intelligence (Fig. 7d). In summary, Janus fabrics combine environmental adaptability with multifunctional protective features, showing broad application prospects in future military security, information protection, and civilian smart textiles. 5 Conclusion In this work, flexible composite fabrics with Janus structural characteristics were successfully fabricated by combining blade coating with hot-pressing, achieving dual protection of adaptive dynamic IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding. This approach not only significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and structural stability of MXene films but also offered controllable large-area fabrication capability. After efficient integration with fabrics, the resulting Janus fabrics exhibited dual-sided IR response characteristics, enabling flexible adaptation to different environmental backgrounds through structural reversal. At the same time, the hierarchical conductive network constructed within the composite fabric established a stable pathway of reflection, absorption, and multiple scattering, endowing it with excellent electromagnetic shielding performance. The large-area and controllable fabrication of MXene films benefits from the formation of a 3D interpenetrating network with waterborne TPU. Assisted by the blade-coating process, this structure significantly improves film quality and mechanical performance, overcoming the limitations of conventional vacuum filtration in terms of film area, mechanical strength, and environmental stability. For example, the MT-20 film exhibits approximately a 5-fold increase in stress and a 40-fold increase in strain, achieving an ultimate elongation of up to 60%. Under hot and humid conditions, the MT-40 film still maintains good structural stability and resistance to thermal decomposition from room temperature to 360 °C. In addition, by adjusting the MXene concentration and blade-coating parameters, precise control over IR emissivity and film thickness can be achieved, demonstrating excellent tunability and broad potential for further applications. In terms of fabric integration, a Janus structure with markedly different IR responses on the two sides was fabricated by combining hot-press molding with a fabric-transfer process. The MTF side shows an IR emissivity as low as 0.182, while the FMT side reaches 0.838, enabling rapid adjustment according to environmental temperature differences and thus fulfilling adaptive stealth requirements under complex thermal backgrounds. At the same time, the fabric delivers an average electromagnetic SE of 45 dB in the X-band, confirming its outstanding electromagnetic protection capability. In summary, this work demonstrates the development of a structurally stable, multifunctional, and flexible protective material that integrates structural integrity with IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding. Such a structure–function integrated Janus fabric holds significant application value for military tents, tarpaulins, aircraft skins, and equipment protection, while also offering broad prospects in electronic communications and civilian smart textiles. Declarations Funding ： This work was supported by the Key Projects of Natural Science Foundation Research Plan of Shaanxi Province (No. 2025JC-QYXQ-037) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61771500 and No. 61671489) Conflicts of interest ：The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. References Liu Q,Wang P-L,Zhang W, et al(2024) Chem. Eng. 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Supplementary Files ESM3.mp4 ESM1.mp4 ESM4.mp4 ESM2.mp4 ESM5.mp4 ESM1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 29 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 15 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 10 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 02 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Dec, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Dec, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 Oct, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 09 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7822046","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":562173286,"identity":"9c3b3223-554f-4fc4-b4d1-def63350ed54","order_by":0,"name":"Yajing Wang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an Polytechnic University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yajing","middleName":"","lastName":"Wang","suffix":""},{"id":562173293,"identity":"b255fddc-5a87-41fb-978a-c1fc9746ffcc","order_by":1,"name":"Xiuchen 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03:08:25","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-026-01817-4","type":"published","date":"2026-04-29T15:57:19+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":98638899,"identity":"0fba1063-d06e-43d0-85d7-3d7cba99015a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":970677,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDesign strategy of Janus-structured fabric driven by 3D crosslinked MXene nanosheets. a Application of adaptive IR stealth in Janus fabrics. b Preparation process of Janus fabrics\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/7be4ead55119bedd34d61274.jpg"},{"id":98775022,"identity":"3b3919ac-3ce6-4f6e-aaf2-9e930f066f08","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:17:57","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1552697,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Schematic illustration of the heterogeneous crosslinking-induced blade-coating process of MT films. \u003cstrong\u003eInset:\u003c/strong\u003eMT ink and a digital photograph of a large-area MT film (35 cm × 20 cm). \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003eCross-sectional and surface SEM images of pure MXene and MT films. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003eThickness and surface morphology of MT films with different MXene/TPU mass ratios. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Electrical conductivity and thickness of MT films prepared with different MXene solution concentrations.\u003cstrong\u003e e\u003c/strong\u003e Droplet contraction and local cracking phenomena in MT-10 films. \u003cstrong\u003ef \u003c/strong\u003eAFM image of the surface of pure MXene film. \u003cstrong\u003eg \u003c/strong\u003eAFM images of both surfaces of MT film\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/4654bdce4aad991f2866820d.jpg"},{"id":98638897,"identity":"f7751833-ffce-4aae-9a21-852497bd8c6b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":716489,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e XRD patterns of Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₃C₂Tx. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e FTIR spectra of pure MXene films, TPU films, and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e XRD patterns of TPU and MT films at different MXene concentrations. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e XPS spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e Ti 2p spectra and \u003cstrong\u003ef \u003c/strong\u003eO 1s spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/18202981cc3abc12ecbff794.jpg"},{"id":98638900,"identity":"06f25724-9738-4a12-a071-8d513a44827d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":924244,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curve of MT-20 film. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curves of pure MXene film and MT films at different MXene concentrations. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Mechanical stretching mechanism of MT films. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Wetting characteristics of pure MXene films and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ee \u003c/strong\u003eTGA and DTG curves of MT-40 composite films. \u003cstrong\u003ef\u003c/strong\u003e Environmental adaptation properties of MT films\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/3c0c7a02c75c9b5c5247b755.jpg"},{"id":98775590,"identity":"6d884fdb-761d-4f26-91ed-59064f5addfc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:20:24","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1250122,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Janus fabric integrating MT film and fabric is suitable for diverse background environments. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Digital images of the areal density and thickness of Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003eIR emissivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and FMT. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Thermal IR image of the hand in ambient temperature conditions. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e IR temperature variation on the surface of MT40F under high-temperature and low-temperature environments. \u003cstrong\u003ef\u003c/strong\u003eThermal IR images of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabric on a 150°C heating platform. \u003cstrong\u003eg\u003c/strong\u003e Thermal conductivity coefficients of the FMT side and MTF side of the Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003eh\u003c/strong\u003e Temperature variation on the FMT side of the Janus fabric under different solar radiation intensities. \u003cstrong\u003ei\u003c/strong\u003e Comparison of IR emissivity versus thickness for this work and other recently reported composite materials in the IR band\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture5.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/8764b26de60dc8405dae5642.jpg"},{"id":98638902,"identity":"fc5e4b5f-2c37-4102-9c8c-bd6faa7882e2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":620075,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Electromagnetic SE of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Electrical conductivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curves of Janus fabric and conductive fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Electromagnetic shielding mechanism of Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e Performance comparison between MT40F fabric and other MXene-integrated materials (MXene/PI/mE\u003csup\u003e[51]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/ ANF\u003csup\u003e[52]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/Cotton\u003csup\u003e[53]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/polyvinyl alcohol\u003csup\u003e[54]\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture6.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/7ea8b65106be241740b6cced.jpg"},{"id":98775029,"identity":"877cc6b5-cd29-42c7-9b04-9a4606a91e51","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:17:58","extension":"jpg","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":798025,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eApplication Prospects and Fields of Janus Fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e IR stealth applications of Janus fabric's FMT side and \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003eMTF side as tarps and tents in a different background environment. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003eElectromagnetic shielding and IR stealth applications of Janus fabric in portable power bank tarps. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Applications of Janus fabric in human motion and health monitoring\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Picture7.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/ffcfc9a03b8fad9bd35ef875.jpg"},{"id":108437591,"identity":"5c92ba7a-d69a-45a5-8123-f49a26b22c48","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-04 15:59:46","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":7130164,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/53c6bd8d-30ca-4ccf-9ffd-ed1201ceb148.pdf"},{"id":98638904,"identity":"4e6d3ae7-4aab-437e-a2b7-5256785b7f55","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"mp4","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":6755550,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM3.mp4","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/d5cc267c92a70f2ae207c5f9.mp4"},{"id":98638905,"identity":"9b679ee4-3c1e-487d-b566-4282b3a60d7a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:28","extension":"mp4","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":16905202,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM1.mp4","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/b5b436e0fa3dea6ac7a04694.mp4"},{"id":98638906,"identity":"afae83d5-5a60-4eaa-88dc-6ecabe527643","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:29","extension":"mp4","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":23313103,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM4.mp4","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/dfa5dbd8bc7ad0717e610ba6.mp4"},{"id":98638908,"identity":"ac5c2a7d-d182-4956-8046-af07ed57dde1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:30","extension":"mp4","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":36594156,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM2.mp4","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/63b7d4145658832ef78aa8ec.mp4"},{"id":98638907,"identity":"7731ce37-79a6-47c7-bf19-0ac650445c27","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:29","extension":"mp4","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":41994241,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM5.mp4","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/598527bbafeb73842a7f192b.mp4"},{"id":98638913,"identity":"5f6a0a76-2204-4069-8954-9d9bfdd16909","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 17:55:33","extension":"docx","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":155733664,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ESM1.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7822046/v1/9a996185866136a0a47fd24c.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Three-Dimensionally Crosslinked MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Dual Protection of Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the context of the rapid development of information perception and environmental monitoring technologies, how to effectively resist external detection and electromagnetic interference (EMI) has become a core issue in the protection field\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[1-3]\u003c/sup\u003e. IR camouflage technology can efficiently suppress the IR thermal radiation signature of objects, thereby evading detection by thermal imaging devices and IR-guided systems, and it has been increasingly applied in scenarios such as military equipment, field reconnaissance, and emergency concealment\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[4, 5]\u003c/sup\u003e. However, most existing IR stealth materials are designed in a static manner, making it difficult for them to adapt to the complex and dynamic background conditions of the battlefield, thus highlighting the urgent need for novel stealth systems with adaptive regulation capabilities. Meanwhile, under the conditions of informationized warfare, the high integration and density of electronic devices have brought about severe problems of EMI and leakage, where reliance on IR stealth alone can no longer meet the protection requirements of the new generation\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[6-8]\u003c/sup\u003e. Therefore, the development of multifunctional and flexible protective materials with both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding capabilities has become an urgent research demand in the fields of military defense and intelligent wearable systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurface emissivity regulation is a key technical strategy for suppressing IR radiation to evade thermal imaging surveillance\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[9]\u003c/sup\u003e. Low-emissivity metallic materials (e.g., Al, Cu, Ag, Ni), owing to their excellent electrical conductivity\u003csup\u003e[10, 11]\u003c/sup\u003e, are often incorporated into polymers\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[12]\u003c/sup\u003e or deposited onto flexible substrates via sputtering\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[13]\u003c/sup\u003e, electroplating\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[14]\u003c/sup\u003e, or spraying, to form conductive and IR-reflective layers that enable both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding functions. However, these approaches typically suffer from poor dispersion, easy oxidation, weak adhesion, and insufficient structural stability\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[10, 15-17]\u003c/sup\u003e. MXene, as an emerging two-dimensional transition metal carbon/nitride, possesses excellent electrical conductivity, abundant surface functional groups, and tunable plasmonic properties. Its bandgap transitions and surface plasmon resonance peaks span the near-IR wavelength range\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[18, 19]\u003c/sup\u003e, endowing it with low emissivity characteristics that make it highly promising for IR stealth applications\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[20]\u003c/sup\u003e. Meanwhile, MXene exhibits strong coupling with electromagnetic waves spanning the terahertz to gigahertz range, demonstrating outstanding EMI shielding performance\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[21-23]\u003c/sup\u003e. For instance, Wang et al. \u003csup\u003e[24]\u003c/sup\u003e fabricated MXene films via vacuum-assisted filtration, achieving an IR emissivity as low as 0.19 in the 7–14 μm band. Nevertheless, the resulting films suffer from weak interfacial interactions, surface roughness, and poor mechanical robustness, and the method is challenging to scale up for large-area fabrication, which significantly limits their further applications\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[25-27]\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome researchers have attempted to composite MXenes with cellulose, carbon nanotubes, and other components to fabricate films\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[28, 29]\u003c/sup\u003e, aiming to improve their mechanical properties and environmental adaptability. However, such strategies often compromise the IR stealth performance and remain difficult to scale up for large-area fabrication, thereby lacking scalability. According to the Boltzmann law (\u003cem\u003eE = εσT⁴\u003c/em\u003e), the thermal insulation capacity of a material also significantly influences its IR radiation intensity\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[30]\u003c/sup\u003e. Therefore, another line of research has focused on constructing porous conductive networks, such as MXene aerogels or foams, to reduce thermal conductivity and thereby achieve both IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding functionalities. Nevertheless, these porous structures are typically accompanied by increased thickness and reduced flexibility, which ultimately restrict their practical application range\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[31, 32]\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotably, fabric-based MXene composites require no additional support structures, combining flexibility, thinness, low density, and outstanding mechanical properties. They demonstrate significant advantages in diverse applications such as wearable devices, tarpaulins, and aircraft skins\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[33-36]\u003c/sup\u003e. Current studies predominantly employ methods such as dip-coating, spraying, or blade coating for fabrication; however, the adhesion of MXene on fabric surfaces is often nonuniform, resulting in performance fluctuations and insufficient durability\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[37-39]\u003c/sup\u003e. Thus, constructing stable and efficient MXene–fabric integrated structures remains a critical challenge. In addition, MXene-based materials are characterized by low IR radiation intensity, which makes them suitable primarily for scenarios where the target temperature is higher than the background environment, such as nighttime or forest conditions. By contrast, under midday or desert environments, additional radiative energy compensation is required to match the background temperature for effective camouflage. Therefore, the development of multifunctional flexible materials that integrate tunable IR response, electromagnetic shielding, and lightweight softness is of great significance for meeting application demands under varying environmental conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this work, we proposed an assembly strategy based on the hetero-crosslinking of waterborne TPU with MXene to construct large-area and stable 3D interpenetrating networks, which significantly enhance the synergistic interactions between MXene nanosheets. By integrating blade-coating technology, uniform film formation and scalable large-area fabrication of MXene were achieved. Compared with MXene films prepared by conventional vacuum filtration, the prepared films exhibit approximately 5-fold higher stress and 40-fold higher strain, with ultimate elongation reaching 60%. They demonstrate exceptional flexibility and damage resistance during complex tensile movements, while also possessing outstanding environmental adaptability and scalability. On this basis, a Janus-structured fabric was further developed by combining hot-press molding with fabric integration, delivering ultrahigh tensile strength (1196 N), ultralow IR emissivity (0.185), and exceptional electromagnetic SE (average 45 dB), thereby achieving dual protection of IR stealth and EMI shielding. Beyond being lightweight and flexible, the Janus fabric can also adapt to complex thermal backgrounds through structural flipping, enabling rapid IR response and camouflage modulation. This work offers an innovative pathway for constructing multifunctional flexible protective systems with adaptive stealth capabilities under dynamic battlefield environments.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 MXene Nanosheet-Driven Design Strategy for Janus-Structured Fabrics","content":"\u003cp\u003eFor achieving an ultra-thin multifunctional flexible material that combines excellent mechanical properties with adaptive IR camouflage and EMI shielding capabilities, we proposed a design strategy for Janus fabric based on MXene nanosheets. This strategy integrates a high-strength, low-IR-emissivity MXene/TPU 3D IPN with stainless steel conductive fabric featuring high IR radiation capability, thereby constructing a Janus structure with markedly distinct functionalities on its two sides. Benefiting from this asymmetric structural design, the fabric can flexibly adapt to different environments through simple flipping, achieving dual protection of IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding, thereby meeting the adaptive camouflage requirements under complex battlefield conditions (Fig.1a).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Fig. 1b， in terms of material construction, waterborne TPU was introduced as a flexible network to synergistically assemble with MXene nanosheets, forming a 3D IPN structure that markedly enhances stress transfer and interfacial bonding between nanosheets. The hard segments of TPU interact with the surface functional groups of MXene via hydrogen bonding or chemical interactions, while the flexible soft segments infiltrate into the interlayer spacing as bridges, thereby achieving a balance between mechanical toughness and low IR emissivity while maintaining electrical continuity. By employing a blade-coating process, MXene films with large-area uniformity were obtained, offering greater controllability and scalability compared with traditional vacuum filtration methods. In terms of fabric integration, a one-step hot-pressing process was used to efficiently combine MXene/TPU (MT) films with stainless steel fabrics, endowing the fabric with a characteristic Janus configuration. The MXene/TPU@Fabric (MTF) side exhibits low IR radiation intensity, which is advantageous for thermal radiation suppression in low-temperature backgrounds such as nighttime or forest environments. In contrast, the Fabric@MXene/TPU (FMT) side, benefiting from the high emissivity and thermal conductivity of metallic fibers, is more suitable for thermal dissipation and IR camouflage under high-temperature conditions. Such spatially differentiated functionalities enable the fabric to achieve environment-adaptive IR responses through simple flipping. Benefiting from the high electrical conductivity of MXene and the continuous conductive network of stainless steel fibers, the fabric generates reflection, absorption, and interfacial polarization losses under electromagnetic irradiation, thereby exhibiting excellent EMI shielding performance. Through the synergistic effects of mechanical reinforcement by the 3D IPN, functional differentiation of the Janus dual surfaces, and multiple electromagnetic loss mechanisms, this work realizes a structurally and functionally integrated MXene-nanosheet-driven fabric that combines adaptive IR regulation with efficient EMI shielding. This work provides a new design paradigm for the development of next-generation multifunctional protective systems and intelligent textiles.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3 Experimental Section","content":"\u003ch2\u003e3.1 Materials\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTi₃AlC₂ (MAX) powder (≥98.0%, 400 mesh) was purchased from Jilin 11 Technology, China. Lithium fluoride (LiF, AR, 99%) and hydrochloric acid (HCl, 38%) were obtained from Macklin Biochemical and Tongjie Chemical Reagent, respectively. Waterborne TPU solution was supplied by Yilai Technology, and conductive fabric (200 g/m²) was obtained from Zhiyuan Xiangyu Functional Fabrics. Hot-melt adhesive film (XJU120) was purchased from Xingxia Products. Deionized (DI) water was produced using an ultrapure water purification system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.2 Preparation of MXene\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, 2 g of LiF was dissolved in 40 mL of 9 M HCl solution in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) reactor and stirred at room temperature for 5 min. Subsequently, 2 g of Ti₃AlC₂ was slowly added to the LiF/HCl mixture and magnetically stirred at 40 °C for 31 h. The resulting suspension was washed several times with DI water and centrifuged at 3900 rpm until the pH approached neutral. The MXene precipitate was then redispersed in DI water and collected as multilayer MXene particles via vacuum filtration. Finally, the obtained MXene nanosheets were dried in a vacuum oven at 60 °C and stored below 4 °C until use.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.3 Preparation of Large-Area MXene/TPU Films\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirstly, the MXene aqueous dispersion was placed in an ice-water bath and sonicated for 3 hours to achieve initial dispersion. Subsequently, it was processed in a cell disruptor for 10 minutes to break up flake agglomerates, followed by another 2 hours of sonication to obtain a uniformly dispersed MXene solution. Next, add the aqueous TPU solution to the MXene dispersion and magnetically stir at 1000 rpm for 3 hours. After stirring, allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes to remove entrapped gas. Prior to coating, the PET release film surface was cleaned with anhydrous ethanol. The prepared MT ink was dispensed onto the release film surface, with film thickness controlled by adjusting the differential head of the squeegee. After coating, the sample was left to stand at room temperature for 30 min for initial solvent evaporation, followed by drying in a vacuum oven at 60°C for 3 h, ultimately yielding a flexible MT film. To optimize film performance, MT films with different weight ratios (9:1, 8:2, and 7:3), denoted as 90 wt.%, 80 wt.%, and 70 wt.%, respectively, were systematically investigated. Under the MT ratio of 9:1, the concentration of MXene dispersions was further adjusted (10%–70%), and the corresponding films were denoted as MT-10, MT-20, … MT-70, to identify the optimal composite ratio and film-forming parameters.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.4 Preparation of MXene Nanosheets -Driven Janus fabric\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe efficient transfer and integration of MT films with conductive fabrics were achieved through a one-step hot-pressing process. Specifically, the MT film, hot-melt adhesive film, and conductive fabric were sequentially stacked, followed by hot-pressing at 120 °C under applied pressure to form stable and robust interfacial bonding between the film and fabric. The resulting composite fabric exhibited a Janus structural configuration with multifunctional properties.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.5 Characterization\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the MXene films, MT films, and Janus fabrics were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM, QUANTA-450 FEG) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The surface topography of films was further characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM, AIST-NT), while the microstructure of single-layer MXene nanosheets was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, JEM-F200, JEOL). The crystalline structures were analyzed by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD, Miniflex 600, Rigaku). Fourier-transform IR spectra (FTIR, ALPHA, Bruker) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, K-Alpha, Thermo Fisher) were employed to investigate the chemical compositions. MT films were fabricated using an integrated vacuum-assisted thermal coating system equipped with a wire rod applicator. The tensile properties of MT films were measured on a single-fiber strength tester (LLY-06E) with strip specimens (0.5 × 3 cm) at a strain rate of 5 mm/min, while the fabric mechanical performance was evaluated using an electronic fabric strength tester (YG026MG) with 50 × 100 mm samples at 100 mm/min. Thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, Mettler Toledo) in N₂ from 30 to 800 °C at 20 °C/min. IR emissivity in the 2.5–15 μm wavelength range was recorded by FTIR spectrometer, and emissivity (ε) was calculated according to Kirchhoff's law (ε = 1 − R). IR images and thermal data were collected using an IR thermal camera (TESTO865). Thermal conductivity was measured by a thermal constant analyzer (TC3000E). The surface temperature variations of Janus fabrics under simulated solar irradiation were tested using a xenon lamp system. Electrical conductivity was determined by a four-point probe resistivity tester (HPS2611), with film thickness measured by a digital micrometer. The EMI SE was evaluated by a vector network analyzer (VNA, PAN-LN523B) in the 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band) range.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4 Results and Discussion","content":"\u003ch2\u003e4.1 Fabrication and Structural Characterization of Large-Area MXene/TPU Films\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultilayer-stacked MXene nanosheets were successfully synthesized via in situ etching. EDS mapping revealed a uniform distribution of Ti, C, O, and F elements on the nanosheet surfaces, confirming the characteristic surface composition of MXene (Fig. S1a, S1b). XRD patterns further verified the transformation of the Ti₃AlC₂ precursor into Ti₃C₂Tₓ (Fig. 3a), as evidenced by the distinct shift of the (002) diffraction peak from 9.68° to 6.44°, indicating enlarged interlayer spacing and effective removal of Al atoms\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[40]\u003c/sup\u003e. The obtained MXene nanosheets were subsequently dispersed in DI water, and after ultrasonication and cell disruption, a stable colloidal suspension with a pronounced Tyndall effect was formed (Fig. S1c). TEM images revealed single and few-layer nanosheets with sharp edges and smooth surfaces (Fig. S2), corroborating their efficient exfoliation and excellent dispersibility, thereby providing a solid foundation for the subsequent fabrication of uniform and compact composite films.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig.2 a\u003c/strong\u003e Schematic illustration of the heterogeneous crosslinking-induced blade-coating process of MT films. \u003cstrong\u003eInset:\u003c/strong\u003e MT ink and a digital photograph of a large-area MT film (35 cm × 20 cm). \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Cross-sectional and surface SEM images of pure MXene and MT films. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Thickness and surface morphology of MT films with different MXene/TPU mass ratios. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Electrical conductivity and thickness of MT films prepared with different MXene solution concentrations.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;e\u003c/strong\u003e Droplet contraction and local cracking phenomena in MT-10 films. \u003cstrong\u003ef\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eAFM image of the surface of pure MXene film. \u003cstrong\u003eg\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eAFM images of both surfaces of MT film\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMT ink was prepared by mixing MXene with a Waterborne TPU solution via magnetic stirring and vacuum degassing (Fig. 2a). Online Resource 1 also demonstrates the process of preparing films using the MT ink. To obtain MXene conductive films with outstanding performance, the mass ratio of MXene to TPU was systematically optimized. The results indicate that when the MXene dispersion concentration was 40 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL, only the MT films prepared at 90 wt.% exhibited both good electrical conductivity (Fig. S3) and dense, smooth surface morphology (Fig. 2c). This is because TPU is an insulating polymer, and excessive content weakens the conductive network among MXene nanosheets, leading to reduced conductivity. In contrast, an appropriate TPU fraction does not significantly disrupt the conductive pathways, while improving film flexibility and formability, thereby enabling synergistic optimization of conductivity and surface quality. Further tuning of the MXene concentration in the inks revealed that increasing nanosheet content enhanced electrical conductivity by establishing continuous conductive networks, while uniform film thickness was obtained only at moderate concentrations (Fig. 2d). At low MXene concentrations (10 mg/mL), excess water molecules increase the surface tension of the ink above the substrate surface energy, resulting in poor wettability, droplet shrinkage, and local film cracking (Fig. 2e). At high concentrations (70 mg/mL), the ink flow and spreading were restricted, preventing spontaneous thickness leveling and leading to local accumulation or depression of the film.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Fig. 2b, the cross-sectional SEM image of the MT film reveals a compact layered structure formed through multicomponent crosslinking-induced assembly. In contrast, the pure MXene film prepared by vacuum filtration exhibits a loosely stacked multilayer configuration, where the nanosheets are primarily connected by weak van der Waals forces. The absence of external structural constraints results in a fragile architecture, thereby limiting its feasibility for practical applications. In the MT films, the incorporation of waterborne TPU facilitates the formation of a hydrogen-bonded network, in which the hydrophilic groups of TPU interact with the abundant surface terminations of MXene (–OH, –COOH, –F), giving rise to a stable 3D interpenetrating structure (Fig. 2a). AFM scanning of a 9 μm × 9 μm surface region further confirmed the superior surface quality of MT films. Guided by the shear force during blade coating, one surface exhibited a markedly smoother morphology with a root-mean-square roughness (Sq) of only 34 nm (Fig. 2g), while the opposite side showed slightly higher roughness but still performed significantly better than pure MXene films (Sq = 119 nm). Statistical analysis of long-range height fluctuations along random surface regions indicated that the amplitude variations of the two MT film surfaces were only 0.16 and 0.37 times those of pure MXene films (Fig. S4). These results highlight the remarkable advantages of MT films over conventional MXene films in terms of structural uniformity and interfacial quality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e4.2 Heterogeneous Crosslinking and Hydrogen Bonding of MXene/TPU Films\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotably, the abundant chemical bonds in aqueous TPU can form compounds or hydrogen bonds with the surface terminations of MXene through heterogeneous crosslinking. Such interactions are the key factor facilitating the construction of a 3D IPN between MXene and TPU. To gain deeper insights into the interfacial mechanism, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and XPS analyses were performed. As shown in Fig. 3b, the FTIR spectrum of the MT-40 film exhibits a broadened, intensified, and red-shifted absorption peak at 3438 cm⁻¹ compared with pure MXene. This result indicates strong hydrogen bonding between the abundant surface functional groups of MXene (–OH, –COOH, –F) and the –NH and C=O groups in the urethane chains of TPU, leading to a stable hydrogen-bonded network. In addition, the C=O stretching vibration peak shifts from 1727 cm⁻¹ to 1599 cm⁻¹ with noticeable broadening, suggesting the possible presence of synergistic covalent interactions\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[41]\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig. 3\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e XRD patterns of Ti₃AlC₂\u0026nbsp;and Ti₃C₂Tx. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e FTIR spectra of pure MXene films, TPU films, and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e XRD patterns of TPU and MT films at different MXene concentrations. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e XPS spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e Ti 2p spectra and \u003cstrong\u003ef\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eO 1s spectra of pure MXene and MT-40 films\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interfacial interactions were further verified by Raman spectroscopy (Fig. S5). The characteristic peaks of MXene appeared at 122 cm⁻¹ (ω₁), 201 cm⁻¹ (ω₂), 283/375 cm⁻¹ (Ti₃C₂(OH)₂, ω₅), and 594/725 cm⁻¹ (Ti₃C₂O₂, ω₄/ω₃). Notably, the peaks at 375 cm⁻¹ and 725 cm⁻¹ exhibited red shifts, indicating that the =O functional groups on the MXene surface reacted with the functional groups in TPU. In addition, the emergence of a new Raman-active peak at ~156 cm⁻¹ suggested the formation of new interfacial structures or interactions during the composite process\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[42, 43]\u003c/sup\u003e. XRD analysis further corroborated these structural changes (Fig. 3c). The characteristic (002) diffraction peak of MXene gradually shifted from 6.44° to 4.78° with varying MXene concentrations, demonstrating that the introduction of TPU effectively regulated the interlayer spacing of MXene nanosheets. Such interlayer spacing variation can be attributed to intercalation of TPU molecules or interfacial interactions that induced structural rearrangements, thereby further validating the proposed hydrogen-bonding/covalent crosslinking mechanism.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXPS analysis revealed trace signals of Li 1s and F 1s at 58.67 and 684.86 eV, respectively (Fig. 3d), confirming the selective etching of Al from Ti₃AlC₂ to produce Ti₃C₂Tₓ. In the high-resolution Ti 2p spectrum of MXene (Fig. 3e), spin–orbit coupling splits the Ti 2p levels into Ti 2p₁/₂ and Ti 2p₃/₂ doublets, with an energy separation of ~5.7 eV\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[44]\u003c/sup\u003e. The peaks located at 454.45, 455.38, 456.44, and 458.01 eV correspond to Ti–C (2p₃/₂), Ti(II) (2p₃/₂), Ti–O (2p₃/₂), and TiO₂ (2p₃/₂) bonds, respectively. Upon the incorporation of TPU, the main Ti 2p peaks exhibited a positive shift of ~0.1–0.5 eV with significantly increased intensity, indicating changes in the electronic environment around Ti atoms. This shift may originate from hydrogen bonding or coordination interactions between polar groups in TPU (e.g., –C=O, –NH) and MXene\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[45, 46]\u003c/sup\u003e. In the O 1s spectrum (Fig. 3f), the peaks at ~529, 530.39, 532.09, and 532.89 eV were assigned to O–Ti (TiO₂), C–Ti–Oₓ (I), C–Ti–(OH)ₓ (II), and H₂O, respectively\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[47]\u003c/sup\u003e. After the introduction of TPU, these O 1s peaks also exhibited pronounced shifts and intensity changes, further confirming the presence of interfacial interactions. Collectively, these XPS results demonstrate that the interface of MXene and TPU is not limited to physical blending but also involves stable interfacial chemical crosslinking through hydrogen bonding and possible covalent interactions, which contribute to enhanced structural stability and overall performance of the composite films.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e4.3 Mechanical Flexibility and Environmental Adaptability of MXene/TPU Films\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo assess the application potential and scalability of MT films in diverse scenarios, systematic evaluations of their mechanical properties, wettability, and thermal stability were performed. The incorporation of waterborne TPU markedly enhanced the structural integrity of the films while simultaneously improving their flexibility and environmental adaptability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown in Figs 4a and 4b, the stress–strain curves reveal a remarkable enhancement in the mechanical properties of MT films. In contrast, pure MXene films exhibit weak interlayer interactions and poor structural compactness, leading to limited tensile strength and fracture toughness. Brittle fracture behavior is typically observed in pure MXene films, which severely restricts their mechanical adaptability in practical applications. With the incorporation of waterborne TPU, however, the tensile stress of MT-20 films was increased by nearly 5-fold and the strain increased by 40-fold, resulting in an ultimate elongation of 60%. Such improvements enable effective resistance to complex tensile stresses and external impacts, thereby demonstrating outstanding flexibility. This superior mechanical performance is primarily attributed to the formation of a 3D IPN, constructed through the synergistic interaction of MXene and TPU (Fig. 4c). Within this structure, the flexible soft segments of TPU penetrate into the interlayers and lamellar gaps of MXene, acting as flexible bridges to reinforce interlayer bonding. Consequently, stress transfer efficiency and strain dissipation are enhanced, effectively suppressing failure modes such as interfacial debonding and structural collapse. The MT films exhibited excellent mechanical compliance, allowing repeated twisting without structural damage and achieving tight conformability to irregular surfaces (Online Resource 2). Notably, MT-20 films maintained robust mechanical performance while simultaneously offering superior IR stealth properties. At a relatively low MXene concentration (20 mg/mL), the emissivity values in the mid- and far-IR ranges were reduced to 0.38 (3–5 μm) and 0.28 (8–14 μm), respectively (Fig. S6). When the MXene content was increased to 40 mg/mL (MT-40), the emissivity further decreased to 0.26 (3–5 μm) and 0.19 (8–14 μm), thereby significantly enhancing the IR camouflage capability. Furthermore, the film thickness can be precisely controlled via a spin-coating process, achieving a minimum thickness of 0.034 μm (Fig. S7), combining lightweight, flexible, and multifunctional integration advantages.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurface wettability is a key parameter that determines the environmental adaptability and practical usability of materials, and it becomes particularly important for IR stealth materials that are required to withstand complex environments. In MT films, the introduction of waterborne TPU with relatively low surface energy, combined with the shear-induced alignment of MXene nanosheets during the blade-coating process, facilitates the formation of a dense and uniform surface structure. Consequently, the MT films exhibit weakly hydrophobic yet low-adhesive wetting behavior, together with a certain degree of self-cleaning capability (Fig. 4d and Online Resource 3). Moreover, when pure MXene films and MT-40 films were subjected to 5 h of ultrasonic treatment followed by 24 h storage under ambient conditions, the MT-40 films maintained good structural integrity (Fig. 4d), whereas the pure MXene films were completely destroyed. This result demonstrates the strong interfacial interactions between TPU and MXene, which markedly improve the structural stability and environmental durability of the composite films in humid environments (Fig. 4f).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig. 4\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curve of MT-20 film. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curves of pure MXene film and MT films at different MXene concentrations. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Mechanical stretching mechanism of MT films. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Wetting characteristics of pure MXene films and MT-40 films. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eTGA and DTG curves of MT-40 composite films. \u003cstrong\u003ef\u003c/strong\u003e Environmental adaptation properties of MT films\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thermal stability of pure MXenes and MT-40 films was evaluated by TGA. The pure MXene film exhibited no significant mass loss when heated from room temperature to 800 °C, retaining 90% of its residual mass at the end. The observed weight loss of MXene can be attributed to the release of adsorbed water, the desorption or decomposition of surface functional groups (e.g., -OH and -F), as well as the oxidation or structural degradation of MXene itself\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[48]\u003c/sup\u003e (Fig. S8a). In comparison, the thermal stability of MT films decreased as the MXene content was reduced (Fig. S8b). Nevertheless, even at relatively low MXene loading, the MT-40 film maintained 35.6% residual mass at 800 °C. The residue primarily consisted of MXene decomposition products, including TiO₂ and titanium carbide phases\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[49, 50]\u003c/sup\u003e, since both the soft and hard segments of waterborne TPU were completely degraded at 442 °C (Fig. S8c). Notably, the major weight loss of the MT-40 film occurred between 363–420 °C, whereas the film preserved good structural stability and resistance to thermal decomposition below 360 °C (Fig. 4e). This finding highlights the application potential of MT-40 films in medium- to high-temperature environments (Fig. 4f).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e4.4 MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Combined Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.4.1 Infrared Stealth Performance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven the excellent mechanical properties and environmental adaptability of MT films, we further expand their application scenarios by integrating them efficiently with fabrics, which are inherently soft, lightweight, and structurally supportive. This integration leads to the construction of Janus structures with distinctly different IR responses on the two sides. Such spatially differentiated functionality enables the fabrics to flexibly adapt to diverse environmental backgrounds simply by flipping, thereby achieving adaptive IR stealth responses (Fig. 5a). The resulting samples exhibit an ultrathin thickness of only 0.4 mm and an areal density of 0.03 g/cm² (Fig. 5b), highlighting their ultralight and flexible characteristics. These features lay a solid foundation for potential applications in camouflage tents, tarpaulins, equipment skins, and intelligent wearable devices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Planck's law, any object with a temperature above 0 K emits thermal radiation\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[30]\u003c/sup\u003e. The Stefan–Boltzmann law further states that the radiation intensity of an object is proportional to the fourth power of its surface temperature and to the IR emissivity of the material\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[9]\u003c/sup\u003e. Based on these principles, the IR camouflage performance of Janus fabrics was evaluated by measuring the IR emissivity of MT-20@Fabric (MT20F), MT-30@Fabric (MT30F), MT-40@Fabric (MT40F), and their flipped surfaces (FMT) in the 3–14 μm wavelength range (Fig. 5c). The results show that MT40F exhibits an emissivity as low as 0.125, with an average value of only 0.185, surpassing most reported MXene-based IR stealth materials (Fig. 5i and Table S1). The low emissivity of MT40F is mainly attributed to the metallic conductivity and high free carrier density of MXene, which effectively reflects thermal radiation in the mid- and long-wave IR regions. In addition, its two-dimensional layered structure and smooth surface further reduce IR penetration and scattering, thereby enhancing the shielding effect. As the MXene content in the MT films decreases, the emissivity gradually increases, confirming the dominant role of MXene in achieving low-emissivity performance. Notably, the opposite surface of MT40F (FMT) exhibits a high emissivity of 0.838, and its strong IR radiation capability is more favorable for thermal dissipation and camouflage regulation in high-temperature environments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig. 5\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Janus fabric integrating MT film and fabric is suitable for diverse background environments. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Digital images of the areal density and thickness of Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e IR emissivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and FMT. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Thermal IR image of the hand in ambient temperature conditions. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e IR temperature variation on the surface of MT40F under high-temperature and low-temperature environments. \u003cstrong\u003ef\u003c/strong\u003e Thermal IR images of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabric on a 150°C heating platform. \u003cstrong\u003eg\u003c/strong\u003e Thermal conductivity coefficients of the FMT side and MTF side of the Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003eh\u003c/strong\u003e Temperature variation on the FMT side of the Janus fabric under different solar radiation intensities. \u003cstrong\u003ei\u003c/strong\u003e Comparison of IR emissivity versus thickness for this work and other recently reported composite materials in the IR band\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo comprehensively evaluate the IR thermal camouflage performance of MT40F, tests were conducted under ambient, high-temperature, and low-temperature conditions. In ambient conditions, where the temperature of the human hand is consistently higher than that of the surrounding environment, the MT40F fabric effectively blocked the thermal signal of the hand through thermal insulation and reduced surface IR emissivity, lowering the thermal radiation temperature difference between the hand and the environment to 0.5 °C. This reduction rendered the covered target invisible in the IR image (Fig. 5d). In high-temperature environments, MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and FMT samples were placed on a heating stage at 150 °C, and their average surface temperature variations were recorded (Fig. 5f). During 60 min of heating, the MTF series exhibited only minor temperature fluctuations, with MT40F showing the smallest fluctuation (\u0026lt;0.5 °C) and maintaining a temperature difference with the environment below 71 °C throughout the process (Fig. 5e), further confirming its feasibility as an IR camouflage material. In low-temperature environments, when the MT40F sample was attached to the surface of an ice block (Fig. S9), its temperature remained close to the ambient room temperature with a relatively stable temperature difference (Fig. 5e), further demonstrating its excellent thermal camouflage capability under cold conditions. In summary, MT40F maintained a low IR radiation level under different thermal backgrounds, indicating outstanding environmental adaptability and thermal camouflage performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.4.2 Electromagnetic Shielding Performance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the outstanding adaptive IR stealth capability, the Janus fabric also exhibits remarkable electromagnetic shielding performance owing to its unique structural design and high electrical conductivity, making it an effective barrier against EMI. Taking MT40F as an example, its average SE in the X-band reaches 45 dB, with a maximum value of 58 dB (Fig. 6a), corresponding to an electromagnetic wave shielding efficiency of over 99.99%. Furthermore, normalized analysis reveals that its specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) reaches as high as 1933 dB·cm²·g⁻¹, indicating that even under lightweight and ultrathin conditions, the fabric maintains excellent shielding capability sufficient to meet the EMI protection requirements of most electronic devices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is worth emphasizing that the mass fraction of MXene is a key factor in determining both the electromagnetic SE and electrical conductivity of Janus fabrics (Fig. 6b). With increasing MXene content, the nanosheets gradually stack and form continuous conductive networks, which not only facilitate efficient electron transport but also extend the propagation path of electromagnetic waves within the material and enhance multiple reflections. Moreover, the synergistic effect between the macroscopic conductive yarns in the fabric and the surface-embedded MXene nanosheets leads to the formation of a hierarchical conductive network. At the macroscopic scale, good continuity is ensured, while at the microscopic scale, high-density charge transfer channels are provided, thereby strengthening the interactions between electromagnetic waves and the material. Under this mechanism, incident electromagnetic waves are first strongly reflected at the MXene layer, while the unreflected portion undergoes further absorption and scattering at the MXene–fabric interface, gradually establishing a multi-stage shielding pathway of reflection, absorption, scattering, and attenuation, which significantly improves the overall shielding efficiency (Fig. 6c). In contrast, MT20F, with its lower MXene content, fails to form complete conductive pathways, resulting in insufficient conductivity and limited shielding performance. Therefore, rational regulation of MXene content, combined with fabric structural design, is a key strategy for improving the electromagnetic SE of Janus fabrics. Notably, the composite Janus fabrics rely more on absorption than on reflection as the dominant shielding mechanism (Fig. S10), achieving a balance between high shielding efficiency and low reflection that better meets the stringent requirements for electromagnetic compatibility in complex application scenarios.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig. 6\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e Electromagnetic SE of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e Electrical conductivity of MT20F, MT30F, MT40F, and fabrics. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Stress-strain curves of Janus fabric and conductive fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Electromagnetic shielding mechanism of Janus fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ee\u003c/strong\u003e Performance comparison between MT40F fabric and other MXene-integrated materials (MXene/PI/mE\u003csup\u003e[51]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/ ANF\u003csup\u003e[52]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/Cotton\u003csup\u003e[53]\u003c/sup\u003e, MXene/polyvinyl alcohol\u003csup\u003e[54]\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, the Janus fabric demonstrates excellent flexibility and mechanical load-bearing capacity when resisting external forces and adapting to complex stretching conditions. As shown in the stress–strain curve in Fig. 6d, the Janus fabric can withstand a maximum tensile force of 1196 N, and exhibits a certain creep tendency at medium and high load stages due to yarn slippage and local microstructural adjustments. In comparison, the Janus composite structure benefits from multi-interface reinforcement and interfacial constraint effects, which effectively enhance both ultimate strength and ductility while suppressing creep behavior to some extent, thereby ensuring superior mechanical stability and structural integrity. Furthermore, compared with previously reported MXene-based integrated materials (Fig. 6e), the Janus fabric not only maintains outstanding mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties but also combines ultralow IR emissivity, ultrathin and lightweight characteristics, as well as good scalability and controllable large-area fabrication capability, highlighting its remarkable advantages in the field of flexible protective materials.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e4.5 Multi-Scenario Adaptability and Application Prospects of Janus Fabrics\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge-area and controllable fabrication of MXene films was achieved through a blade-coating process, followed by efficient integration with fabrics via a simple and effective one-step hot-pressing method, resulting in flexible composite fabrics with Janus characteristics. Benefiting from the dual-sided functional differences and material synergistic effects, the Janus fabric exhibits excellent dynamic IR response regulation and stable electromagnetic shielding performance under complex environments, highlighting its outstanding potential for multi-scenario adaptability. In terms of mechanical performance (Online Resource 4), the fabric achieved a maximum tensile strength of 60 MPa at a stretching rate of 10 cm/min and maintained good interfacial adhesion during fracture, demonstrating superior structural stability and load-bearing capacity. Moreover, owing to its flexibility and conformability, the fabric can seamlessly adhere to surfaces with large curvatures and multiple orientations (Online Resource 5), showing great promise for applications in various critical fields.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFig. 7\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eApplication Prospects and Fields of Janus Fabric. \u003cstrong\u003ea\u003c/strong\u003e IR stealth applications of Janus fabric's FMT side and \u003cstrong\u003eb\u003c/strong\u003e MTF side as tarps and tents in a different background environment. \u003cstrong\u003ec\u003c/strong\u003e Electromagnetic shielding and IR stealth applications of Janus fabric in portable power bank tarps. \u003cstrong\u003ed\u003c/strong\u003e Applications of Janus fabric in human motion and health monitoring\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the field of military protection, battlefield environments are complex and variable, often involving drastic temperature fluctuations and diverse enemy detection methods, where conventional single-mode stealth materials are insufficient to meet practical demands. In contrast, the Janus fabric, with its reversible dual-sided structure, can freely switch between low-emission and high-emission modes while simultaneously providing electromagnetic shielding. This enables environmentally adaptive stealth protection for camouflage tents, tarpaulins, and equipment skins, which holds significant strategic importance (Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b). In the field of electronics and information security, Janus fabrics not only achieve efficient EMI shielding but also reduce the IR radiation signature of devices through the MTF side, thereby enhancing concealment and information confidentiality. Meanwhile, the FMT side, owing to its high emissivity and thermal conductivity, can rapidly dissipate heat, ensuring the stable operation of high-performance devices under harsh environmental conditions (Fig. 7c). In the field of intelligent wearables, the intrinsic conductive network of Janus fabrics enables them to serve as flexible sensing layers that can be integrated with sensors for physiological or environmental monitoring, thereby promoting the development of protective textiles toward multifunctionality and intelligence (Fig. 7d). In summary, Janus fabrics combine environmental adaptability with multifunctional protective features, showing broad application prospects in future military security, information protection, and civilian smart textiles.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5 Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this work, flexible composite fabrics with Janus structural characteristics were successfully fabricated by combining blade coating with hot-pressing, achieving dual protection of adaptive dynamic IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding. This approach not only significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and structural stability of MXene films but also offered controllable large-area fabrication capability. After efficient integration with fabrics, the resulting Janus fabrics exhibited dual-sided IR response characteristics, enabling flexible adaptation to different environmental backgrounds through structural reversal. At the same time, the hierarchical conductive network constructed within the composite fabric established a stable pathway of reflection, absorption, and multiple scattering, endowing it with excellent electromagnetic shielding performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large-area and controllable fabrication of MXene films benefits from the formation of a 3D interpenetrating network with waterborne TPU. Assisted by the blade-coating process, this structure significantly improves film quality and mechanical performance, overcoming the limitations of conventional vacuum filtration in terms of film area, mechanical strength, and environmental stability. For example, the MT-20 film exhibits approximately a 5-fold increase in stress and a 40-fold increase in strain, achieving an ultimate elongation of up to 60%. Under hot and humid conditions, the MT-40 film still maintains good structural stability and resistance to thermal decomposition from room temperature to 360 °C. In addition, by adjusting the MXene concentration and blade-coating parameters, precise control over IR emissivity and film thickness can be achieved, demonstrating excellent tunability and broad potential for further applications.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of fabric integration, a Janus structure with markedly different IR responses on the two sides was fabricated by combining hot-press molding with a fabric-transfer process. The MTF side shows an IR emissivity as low as 0.182, while the FMT side reaches 0.838, enabling rapid adjustment according to environmental temperature differences and thus fulfilling adaptive stealth requirements under complex thermal backgrounds. At the same time, the fabric delivers an average electromagnetic SE of 45 dB in the X-band, confirming its outstanding electromagnetic protection capability. In summary, this work demonstrates the development of a structurally stable, multifunctional, and flexible protective material that integrates structural integrity with IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding. Such a structure–function integrated Janus fabric holds significant application value for military tents, tarpaulins, aircraft skins, and equipment protection, while also offering broad prospects in electronic communications and civilian smart textiles.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e：\u003c/strong\u003eThis work was supported by the Key Projects of Natural Science Foundation Research Plan of Shaanxi Province (No. 2025JC-QYXQ-037) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61771500 and No. 61671489)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest\u003c/strong\u003e：The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiu Q,Wang P-L,Zhang W, et al(2024) Chem. Eng. 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Eng., B 191: 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2014.10.009\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMashtalir O,Lukatskaya MR,Kolesnikov AI, et al(2016) Nanoscale 8: 9128-33. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6nr01462c\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"advanced-composites-and-hybrid-materials","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"achm","sideBox":"Learn more about [Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials](https://link.springer.com/journal/42114)","snPcode":"42114","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/42114/3","title":"Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"MXene, heterogeneous assembly, Janus fabric, EMI shielding, Infrared stealth","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"With the rapid evolution of intelligent battlefields and unmanned systems, multifunctional protective materials that are lightweight, flexible, mechanically robust, and capable of dynamic infrared (IR) response have drawn increasing attention. MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ), owing to its outstanding electromagnetic properties, is considered a promising candidate. However, its applications are restricted by poor nanosheet orientation and weak interfacial interactions during macroscopic assembly, leading to limited mechanical performance and stability. Here, we report an assembly strategy in which MXene nanosheets are heterogeneously crosslinked with waterborne polyurethane (TPU) and induced by blade-coating to form a large-area, stable three-dimensional (3D) interpenetrating network (IPN), greatly enhancing mechanical strength and scalability. Through hot-press integration with fabrics, a Janus flexible fabric with adaptive IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding was fabricated. The fabric exhibits a low emissivity of 0.185 over 3–14 μm, outperforming most MXene-based composites and maintaining effective camouflage under high, ambient, and low temperatures. The opposite surface displays a high emissivity of 0.838, enabling rapid thermal release and adaptive regulation. Moreover, the Janus fabric achieves an average shielding effectiveness (SE) of 45 dB in the X-band, combined with an ultimate fabric strength of 1196 N and an ultrathin thickness of 0.4 mm, demonstrating superior overall performance compared with conventional MXene-based materials. This scalable film-construction and fabric-integration strategy provides a new platform for multifunctional protection, enabling synergistic IR stealth and electromagnetic shielding in a lightweight, flexible structure, with broad prospects in military camouflage, electronic information security, and smart wearable systems.","manuscriptTitle":"Three-Dimensionally Crosslinked MXene Nanosheet-Driven Janus Fabrics for Dual Protection of Infrared Stealth and Electromagnetic Shielding","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-19 17:55:23","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7822046/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-03-15T12:36:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-10T16:24:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-02T10:49:29+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"79435002456746648026167093692425220067","date":"2025-12-19T13:36:06+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"70000551634722330192101244513050147804","date":"2025-12-18T06:28:41+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"315207856489886734726858734900883271579","date":"2025-12-18T04:56:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-12-17T13:12:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-10-27T13:14:21+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-10-10T10:10:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials","date":"2025-10-10T03:04:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"advanced-composites-and-hybrid-materials","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"achm","sideBox":"Learn more about [Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials](https://link.springer.com/journal/42114)","snPcode":"42114","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/42114/3","title":"Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c5cdfc79-2874-4feb-9cec-28f826c13583","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 19th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-04T15:59:21+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7822046","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-026-01817-4","journal":{"identity":"advanced-composites-and-hybrid-materials","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials"},"publishedOn":"2026-04-29 15:57:19","publishedOnDateReadable":"April 29th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-19 17:55:23","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s42114-026-01817-4","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-026-01817-4","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7822046","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7822046","identity":"rs-7822046","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}