Multifunctional Liquid Metal-2D Material Composites: Structural Design, Properties, and Applications in Advanced Electronics.

Abstract

The rapid advancement of high-integration electronics demands materials that unify thermal, electrical, and mechanical functionalities. Liquid metals (LMs) exhibit exceptional conductivity and self-healing capabilities, but their intrinsic fluidity poses leakage risks. Incorporation with 2D materials yields LM-2D material composites with enhanced structural stability and multifunctional integration. This review systematically summarizes: 1) interfacial enhancement strategies (oxidation, heterometallic doping, polymer grafting, mechanochemistry) to improve wettability and dispersion; 2) representative structural designs, including blended, core-shell, layered, and 3D networks supported by elastomers or hydrogels; 3) key properties across different structural types, such as mechanical robustness, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity; 4) multifunctional applications enabled by enabled by property synergy, spanning thermal-mechanical coupling (thermal management), electrical-mechanical coupling (electromagnetic interference shielding, wearable sensors, and energy storage electrodes), and electrical-thermal-mechanical coupling (multifunctional films). Despite significant progress, critical challenges remain in scalable fabrication, long-term reliability, and efficient recycling. To address these challenges, this review further discusses emerging directions for LM-2D material composites, including novel composite systems, responsive smart materials, multiscale manufacturing technologies, and AI-assisted design, aiming to provide a roadmap for their development in next-generation electronic applications.