Interfacial Electrochemical Self-Assembly Enables Mechanically Robust Infrared Stealth Coatings on Complex-Shaped Metallic Substrates

Transition metal carbides/carbonitrides (MXene) have emerged as highly promising infrared stealth coating materials due to their exceptional low infrared emissivity and high visible light absorption. Conventional coating techniques─such as blade coating, spraying, and spin-coating, the primary methods for existing MXene coatings─require specific substrate properties and face significant challenges in conforming to geometrically complex surfaces. To address these limitations, we developed an electrochemical ion-diffusion-induced gelation approach for fabricating MXene-based composite coatings (Fe²⁺ M/G). This method enables uniform deposition on substrates of arbitrary geometry while achieving remarkable mechanical strength (198.31 MPa) and infrared stealth capability (infrared emissivity: 0.19). Furthermore, the coating exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity (3571.4 S cm^-1), enabling dual functionality: (1) an average electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of 49.35 dB in the X-band and (2) rapid Joule heating (reaching 84 °C at 1.5 V in 120 s), suitable for low-temperature deicing applications. Beyond its core infrared stealth performance, this multifunctional coating system integrates superior physical properties, offering both fundamental insights and practical solutions for developing advanced stealth materials with extended operational capabilities.