Multifunctional and superhydrophobic cellulose composite paper for electromagnetic shielding, hydraulic triboelectric nanogenerator and Joule heating applications

Cellulose-based materials have attracted tremendous interest recently due to their fascinating merits of renewability, biodegradability, and low cost, holding great promise in electromagnetic protection, clean energy harvesting, and thermal management. However, the simple and effective integration of multiple functions into single cellulose material remains a challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of a multifunctional and superhydmphobic cellulose composite paper (CCP) via coated MXene modified by in-situ polymerized poly-pyrrole and PDMS/candle soot on the opposite surface of the paper. CCP exhibits high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (similar to 40 dB) while maintaining high electrical conductivity (1467 S/m). Moreover, the superhydmphobic surface of CCP can be used as the hydraulic triboelectric nanogenerator (H-TENG) to harvest water energy due to the liquid-solid contact triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. The hydraulic triboelectric energy can be captured and released when water droplets drop from a height of 2 cm and roll at a tilt angle of 20 degrees, the output current can reach a peak of 0.8 nA. Furthermore, the surface saturation temperature of CCP can reach 140 degrees C with a low applied voltage of 6 V enabled by the Joule effect. Thus, CCP holds great potentials in applications of integrated smart electronics, clean energy harvesting, and thermal management.

Automated summary

Cellulose-based materials have shown great potential in various applications such as electromagnetic protection, clean energy harvesting, and thermal management. The multifunctional and superhydrophobic cellulose composite paper developed in this study exhibits high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, high electrical conductivity, and the ability to harvest water energy as a hydraulic triboelectric nanogenerator. Additionally, the paper demonstrates excellent thermal management capabilities, making it a promising material for integrated smart electronics, clean energy harvesting, and thermal management applications.