Mechanical, robust and conductive eco-friendly self-assembling hydrogel: a novel material for electromagnetic shielding

Abstract

Hydrogel-based materials with a capacity to absorb harmful electromagnetic waves have become increasingly popular. This paper outlines the preparation of an eco-friendly and biodegradable hydrogel-type electromagnetic shielding material through the use of table salt, which induces the self-assembly of sodium alginate. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were incorporated to create a rigid support structure, while multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanotubes served a synergistic function in constructing the conductive network. The compressive strength of PPSM-180 is 37.95 MPa, and its electrical conductivity level is 15.6 ms mm⁻¹, translating to a 193.3% increase compared to PPSM-0. Additionally, its EMI shielding efficiency was 51.9 dB at a depth of only 2 mm.