Simultaneous realization of highly efficient electromagnetic interference shielding and human motion detection in carbon fiber felt decorated with silver nanowires and thermoplastic polyurethane

Abstract

With the flourishing growth of telecommunication and electronics, exploiting multifunctional conductive polymer composites (CPCs) is highly desirable for wearable electronic devices and robotic systems. Herein, we fabricate multifunctional carbon fiber felt (CFF) decorated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) (TPU-coated AgNWs@CFF) via a facile and cost-effective dipping–drying strategy. Profiting from the three-dimensional interconnected CFF network and excellent conductivity of AgNWs, the resultant TPU-coated AgNWs@CFF exhibits a marvelous electrical conductivity of 9397.3 S m⁻¹, a highly efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of 108.8 dB and an exceptional SE_A/SE_T ratio of 94.8%. More importantly, outstanding flexibility and EMI stability are observed in the TPU-coated AgNWs@CFF even after undergoing continuous cyclic deformations and long-term chemical damage. These superior comprehensive performances endow the prepared TPU-coated AgNWs@CFF with tremendous potential applications in the field of wearable electronic devices for humans. This work provides a new multifunctional platform for highly efficient EMI SE and human motion detection.