Carbonized Syndiotactic Polystyrene/Carbon Nanotube/MXene Hybrid Aerogels with Egg-Box Structure: A Platform for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Solar Thermal Energy Management

Abstract

Functional materials for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are a consistently hot topic in the booming communication engineering, proceeding the development that tends to the multifunctional EMI shielding materials. Herein, a series of carbonized syndiotactic polystyrene/carbon nanotube/ MXene (CsPS/CNT/MXene) hybrid aerogels were fabricated for EMI shielding and solar thermal energy conversion purposes. To fabricate the hybrid aerogels, a porous CNT/MXene framework was initially prepared using freeze-casting. Subsequently, sPS was infused into the porous structure, followed by hyper-cross-linking and carbonization of sPS under an inert atmosphere. The resulting aerogels exhibited a distinctive egg-box structure, comprising numerous nanofibrous carbon microspheres embedded within the lamellar framework. The mass ratio between CNT and MXene was regulated to identify an optimum aerogel, that is, the CCM-4-6, which exhibited impressive properties including Young's compression modulus of 0.67 MPa, a water contact angle of 137.6 ± 4.1°, a specific surface area of 110 m 2 g −1 , an electrical conductivity of 43.0 S m −1 , and an EMI SE value of 40 dB. Meanwhile, phase-change composites were fabricated through encapsulating paraffin wax within the hybrid aerogels. For the CCM-4-6 aerogel, a noteworthy encapsulation ratio was achieved at about 76.7%, along with remarkable latent heat, good thermal reliability, and commendable solar thermal energy conversion capacity. This study presents a facile route to prepare multifunctional EMI shielding materials.

Versatile Hyper-Cross-Linked Polymers Derived from Waste Polystyrene: Synthesis, Properties, and Intentional Recycling

“…Functional materials have long been a focal point of research in the field of communication engineering, particularly EMI shielding. Gui et al synthesized a series of carbonized syndiotactic polystyrene/carbon nanotube/2D transition metal carbide (CsPS/CNT/MXene) hybrid aerogels, presenting a distinctive honeycomb structure . Adjusting the mass ratio of CNT to MXene to determine the optimal aerogel, namely CCM-4–6, resulted in excellent compressive strength, a hydrophobic surface, and enhanced electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness of 43.0 S m –1 and 40 dB, respectively.…”

Flexible Embedded Metal Meshes by Sputter-Free Crack Lithography for Transparent Electrodes and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

“…As we become more reliant on electronic devices and systems, there is a pressing need for the development of effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. These shielding materials protect electronic components from radiation damage and block undesirable signals. − To address EMI shielding needs, a wide variety of materials have been studied including metal films, ,,− metal meshes, − metal nanowires, − graphene, carbon nanotubes, , and MXenes . There is also growing interest in hybrid structures, − such as conductive oxide/metal, − MXene/metal, , and metal/graphene. , …”

“…These shielding materials protect electronic components from radiation damage and block undesirable signals. 1 − 7 To address EMI shielding needs, a wide variety of materials have been studied including metal films, 1 , 3 , 8 − 11 metal meshes, 12 − 16 metal nanowires, 17 − 19 graphene, 20 carbon nanotubes, 21 , 22 and MXenes. 23 There is also growing interest in hybrid structures, 24 − 26 such as conductive oxide/metal, 27 − 29 MXene/metal, 30 , 31 and metal/graphene.…”

Lightweight, Elastic, and Superhydrophobic Multifunctional Organic–Inorganic Fibrous Aerogels for Efficient Oily Wastewater Purification and Electromagnetic Microwave Absorption

“…Aerogels are excellent ultralight solid materials with a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous structure, which are formed by the replacement of the liquid phase in a gel with gas phase. − The interconnected porous structure renders the aerogels with ultralow density, rich porosity, large specific surface area, and extremely low thermal conductivity, making them suitable for wide applications such as environmental protection, thermal management, energy storage, catalyst carrier, and electromagnetic metamaterial. − In the past few decades, a series of aerogels based on carbon, ceramics, and polymers have been developed. − Among them, carbon-based aerogels are most attractive for their high electrical conductivity and superior thermal and chemical stability, implying their promising applications in flexible energy storage devices and wearable electronics. , Although various carbon-based aerogels with desirable performance have been achieved from nanocarbon units, they are intrinsically brittle and prone to collapse when subjected to external stress, which limit their potential for large-scale applications . Therefore, the development of robust and elastic carbon-based aerogels is currently of great interest to meet the ever-growing demands of our society.…”