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Development of multifunctional MXene polymer composites
Dissertation

Development of multifunctional MXene polymer composites

James FitzPatrick
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
22 May 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011471
pdf
FitzPatrick_James_20266.87 MB
PDF Embargoed Access, Embargo ends: 31 Dec 2026

Abstract

Composites Dielectric capacitors Electromagnetic interference shielding MXenes Photothermal membrane distillation Polymers Nanotechnology
As new technologies shrink in size and expand in functionality, the need for lightweight, multifunctional materials continues to grow. Polymer nanocomposites offer a promising solution by bridging polymer processability and stability with the functional properties of nanoscale fillers. MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbides and nitrides, are attractive composite fillers due to their high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, optical absorption, and tunable surface chemistry. However, their integration into hydrophobic polymers remains limited by compatibility, dispersion, and processing challenges. This work develops alternative processing strategies for MXene composites using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a benchmark hydrophobic polymer. Organic-phase approaches, including direct solvent delamination, high-pressure homogenization, and hydrophobic Cl-terminated MXenes, are employed to enhance dispersion while maintaining flake quality and simplifying processing. These dispersions are incorporated into a highly tunable, scalable blade-coating and phase-separation process to fabricate dense and porous films with highly controlled morphology. Processing-structure-property relationships are then examined across electrical, dielectric, mechanical, and optical behavior, showing that MXene loading, flake size, alignment, surface chemistry, porosity, and film density govern composite performance. Dense films promote the formation of a conductive network, ideal for EMI shielding and electrical functionality, while porous films enable high dielectric permittivity with low loss and strong photothermal response. Low MXene loadings also enhance mechanical reinforcement through effective dispersion and interfacial stress transfer, enabling the fabrication of robust, unsupported systems. This thesis establishes guidelines for tailoring MXene/PVDF composites toward applications such as dielectric energy storage, piezoelectric energy harvesting, photothermal desalination, and conductive shielding films, providing a roadmap for scalable multifunctional MXene-polymer composites through controlled processing and application-driven design.

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