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Tuning lightweight, flexible, self-cleaning bio-inspired core–shell structure of nanofiber films for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

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Abstract

With the significant advances in electronic products, materials with good flexibility, corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity and minimal thickness are urgently needed. Herein, we demonstrate the biomimetic core–shell structure of lightweight, flexible, self-cleaning nanofiber films for high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding by tuning the deposition of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). With a thickness of 0.06 mm, PAN@TiO2@AgNPs composite films (PTA films) exhibit an average EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 82.60 dB. After further processing with fluorine-containing molecules, the PTA-4 film becomes superhydrophobic and anticorrosive. After a hydrophobic treatment, composite films have average SE, specific SE (SSE) and SSE/t being 79.57 dB, 360.86 dB cm3 g−1, and 60143.33 dB cm2 g−1, respectively. In particular, conductive films that undergo UV radiation and bending cycles retain a stabilized electrical conductivity. This tuning bio-inspired fabrication method provides the films with UV-resistance, superhydrophobicity and EMI SE that fit the practical applications of wearable and flexible sensors.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin (18JCQNJC03400), National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 51503145 and 11702187), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian (2018J01504, 2018J01505) and the Program for Innovative Research Team in University of Tianjin (TD13-5043).

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  1. Yanting Wang and Hao-Kai Peng have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Innovation Platform of Intelligent and Energy-Saving Textiles, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Yanting Wang, Hao-Kai Peng, Ting-Ting Li, Xuefei Zhang, Ching-Wen Lou & Jia-Horng Lin

  2. Tianjin and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composite Materials, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Hao-Kai Peng, Ting-Ting Li & Jia-Horng Lin

  3. Ocean College, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Bing-Chiuan Shiu, Ching-Wen Lou & Jia-Horng Lin

  4. Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, China

    Ching-Wen Lou

  5. Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, China

    Ching-Wen Lou

  6. Advanced Medical Care and Protection Technology Research Center, College of Textile and Clothing, Qingdao University, Shandong, 266071, China

    Ching-Wen Lou & Jia-Horng Lin

  7. School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, China

    Jia-Horng Lin

  8. Laboratory of Fiber Application and Manufacturing, Department of Fiber and Composite Materials, Feng Chia University, Taichung, 40724, Taiwan, China

    Jia-Horng Lin

  9. Department of Fashion Design, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, China

    Jia-Horng Lin

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  1. Yanting Wang
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Correspondence to Ting-Ting Li, Ching-Wen Lou or Jia-Horng Lin.

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Wang, Y., Peng, HK., Li, TT. et al. Tuning lightweight, flexible, self-cleaning bio-inspired core–shell structure of nanofiber films for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding. J Mater Sci 55, 13008–13022 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-04941-8

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