Lightweight, breathable and self-cleaning polypyrrole-modified multifunctional cotton fabric for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2024-08, Vol.274 (Pt 1), p.133347, Article 133347
• Main Authors: Meng, Lingsai, Ma, Yu, Zou, Yupeng, Zhang, Bozhao, Chen, Gang, Dong, Chengjun, Wang, Lihong, Guan, Hongtao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cotton fabric; Durability; EMI shielding; Polypyrrole nanotubes
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133347

The thriving of wearable electronics and the emerging new requirements for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding have driven the innovation of EMI shielding materials towards lightweight, wearability and multifunctionality. Herein, the hierarchical polypyrrole nanotubes (PNTs)/PDMS structures are rationally constructed on the textile for obtaining multifunctional and flexible EMI shielding textiles by in-situ polymerization and surface coating. The modified cotton fabric possesses a conductivity of about 2715.8 S/m and an SET of 28.2 dB in the X band when the thickness is only 0.5 mm. After ultrasonic treatment, cyclic bending and washing, the conductivity and EMI shielding performance remain stable and exhibit long-term durability. Importantly, the textile's inherent lightweight, breathable and soft properties have been completely retained after modification. This work shows application potentiality in the field of EMI pollution protection and affords a novel path for the construction of multifunctionally wearable and durable EMI shielding materials. [Display omitted] •Flexible polypyrrole nanotubes/cotton fiber/PDMS (PCP) composites possess excellent hydrophobicity.•The PCP-5 exhibits an exceptional shielding effectiveness (SET) of 28 dB with a thickness of 0.5 mm.•The PCP composite gives breathability, lightness and self-cleaning performance.