Mechanically Robust MXene-Metal Polyphenol Network Hybrid Interfaces for Multifunctional Protection of Keratin Fibers

The study presents a novel MXene-metal polyphenol network (MX-MPN) coating designed to enhance the protection and mechanical properties of keratin fibers in human hair. By combining Ti3C2 MXene sheets with a metal-polyphenol network derived from EGCG and multivalent metal cations, the coating aims to provide robust UV protection, increased tensile strength, and improved wettability for chemically damaged hair. Despite challenges in coating negatively charged hair surfaces, the MX-MPN composite demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical strength, UV resistance, and thermal conductivity, while maintaining color fastness and reducing static electricity. The coating also exhibited hydrophobic characteristics similar to healthy hair and retained its efficacy for at least 3 weeks with reduced cytotoxicity, offering a promising approach for semi-permanent hair treatment.