Photothermal-thermoelectric composite film with excellent self-healing and low temperature resistance properties for electromagnetic wave shielding and absorption

Photothermal-thermoelectric composite film rarely has been designed as high-performance electromagnetic wave (EMW) shielding and absorbing materials with desirable ability of solar energy utilization, and the harsh environment resistance of the film has never been elucidated. Herein, excellent photothermal-thermoelectric polydimethylsiloxane/single-walled carbon nanotube@Fe3O4 film is assembled for the first time, owning supe-rior EMW attenuation, self-healing and low temperature resistance by synergistically manipulating multiple factors, such as compositions, structures and morphologies. It is found that the optimized composite film delivered a strong absorption of-60.8 dB with an effective absorption band of 3 GHz (8.2-11.2 GHz) and small thickness (2.79 mm) in X-band, while single-walled carbon nanotube with extremely low content of 0.08 wt% and prepared nanocage-like Fe3O4 are employed to compound with polydimethylsiloxane matrix. And noticeable photothermal effect and thermoelectric effect with p/n-type are simultaneously acquired via adjusting the contents of single-walled carbon nanotube, along with flexible hot-press/photo/electro-driven self-healing and low temperature resistance of-19.7 degrees C, making it the only indirect solar power generation EMW absorption material by photothermal and thermoelectric effect with extreme environmental tolerance. In short, this work expounds on constructing a unique highly efficient absorbing material with the capability of solar energy uti-lization and outstanding comprehensive performance.

Automated summary

This study assembles a highly efficient polydimethylsiloxane/single-walled carbon nanotube@Fe3O4 composite film with excellent photothermal and thermoelectric effects. It shows strong electromagnetic wave shielding and absorption capabilities, utilizes solar energy, and possesses good environmental resistance.