Superhydrophobic Ag/Viscose Non-woven Fabrics with Excellent Electric Heating and High-efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Multifunctional flexible conductive materials have attracted significant attention as next-generation portable wearable electronics. However, designing robust electronics fabrics with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and reliable use in all-weather environments remains a challenge. Herein, a practical and optimized methodology was provided to achieve surface metallization of insulating fabrics for conductive devices. The Ag seeds were successfully embedded on the surface of viscose nonwovens as catalytic centers, and ammonia-free silver plating was carried out at room temperature. Subsequently, the Ag-wrapped fabric was impregnated with 1-octadecanethiol so that the surface of the obtained fabric showed super-hydrophobicity and water contact angle can reach 152.3 degrees. The Ag/viscose exhibits ultrahigh conductivity (up to 538 S/cm) and the EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) reaches as high as 94.1 dB in the range of 1-18 GHz. The obtained Ag/viscose possesses outstanding waterproof, strong mechanical durability, excellent Joule heating effect and antibacterial, which can be potentially applied for multifunctional wearable electronics and smart clothing.

Automated summary

This study provides a practical and optimized methodology for achieving surface metallization of insulating fabrics, resulting in Ag/viscose materials with high conductivity and excellent performance. The Ag/viscose exhibits ultrahigh electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, waterproof properties, strong mechanical durability, excellent Joule heating effect, and antibacterial properties, making it suitable for multifunctional wearable electronics and smart clothing applications.