Superhydrophobization of Cotton Fabric with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Durable Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

In this work, durable electromagnetic interference shielding cotton fabrics were obtained via superhydrophobic finishing with Nafion-MWCNTs coating. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonated polymer, exhibits low surface energy and good dispersing performance for MWCNTs. The uniform distribution of MWCNTs is beneficial for not only forming connective conductive network, which enhances electrical conductivity and shielding performance of the cotton fabric, but also constructing a nano-micrometer dual scale structure, which is necessary for superhydrophobic surface. After 6-cycles of Nafion-MWCNTs deposition, the resultant fabric possesses a favorable shielding effectiveness of 9.0 dB and a water contact angle of 154.60 degrees. Besides of the satisfied shielding ability and superhydrophobic surface, more importantly, the fabric exhibits good durability in EMI shielding after immersing in water for 96 h or washing with AATCC standard due to the superhydrophobicity and good chemical stability of the Nafion-MWCNTs coating.