A special core–shell material (Mxene@Ag@Phytate) to improve EVA composite fire safety, radiation cross-linking effect, and electromagnetic shielding

High-performance MXene-based polymer nanocomposites are well-suited for various industrial applications owing to their excellent mechanical, thermal, and other properties. However, the fabrication of flame-retardant polymer/MXene nanocomposites remains challenging owing to the limited flame-retardant properties of MXene itself. This study prepared a novel MXene@Ag@PA hybrid material via radiation modification and complexation reaction. This material was used to further enhance the key properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), such as its mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, flame retardancy, and electromagnetic shielding. The addition of two parts of this hybrid material increased the thermal conductivity of EVA by 44.2% and reduced its peak exothermic rate during combustion by 30.1% compared with pure EVA. The material also significantly reduced smoke production and increased the residue content. In the X-band, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the EVA composites reached 20 dB. Moreover, the MXene@Ag@PA hybrid material could be used to further enhance the mechanical properties of EVA composites under electron-beam irradiation. Thus, this study contributes to the development of MXene-based EVA advanced materials that are fire-safe, have high strength, and exhibit good electromagnetic shielding performance for various applications.