Multifunctional metamaterials based on MXene composite aerogels for integrated load-bearing and multiphysics wave attenuation

Multifunctional aerogel has a wide range of prospects for application in aerospace and other fields, but its low strength and easy peeling limited the further application. In this work, multifunctional metamaterials consisting of 4D-printed bio-inspired mechanical metamaterials and multifunctional aerogels was developed, which combined advantages of lightweight, excellent mechanical behaviors, electromagnetic wave absorption, thermal insulation and sound absorption. In particular, 4D printed shape memory mechanical metamaterials exhibited excellent load-bearing and energy-absorbing properties as well as programmability of their configuration and mechanical properties. Composite aerogel-based multifunctional metamaterials exhibited excellent properties of infrared thermal stealth, adjustable sound absorption and electromagnetic wave absorption, which covered almost the entire Ku-band. The developed metamaterial integrates mechanical, electromagnetic, acoustic and thermal functions, demonstrating broad application prospects in the aerospace field.