Research on Efficient Electromagnetic Shielding Performance and Modulation Mechanism of Aero/Organo/Hydrogels with Gravity-Induced Asymmetric Gradient Structure

Abstract

To eliminate electromagnetic pollution, it is a challenging task to develop highly efficient electromagnetic shielding materials that integrate microwave absorption (MA) performance with high shielding capability and achieve tunability in shielding performance. Asymmetrically structured aero/organo/hydrogels with a progressively changing concentration gradient of liquid metal nanoparticles (LMNPs), induced by gravity, are prepared by integrating the conductive fillers Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and LMNPs into a dual-network structure composed of polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose nanofibers. Benefiting from the unique structure, which facilitates the absorption-reflection-reabsorption process of electromagnetic waves along with conductive fillers and the porous structure, three types of gels demonstrate efficient shielding performance. HPCML achieves a total shielding effectiveness (SE_T) of up to 86.9 dB and a reflection shielding effectiveness (SE_R) of as low as 2.85 dB. Especially, APCML, with an ultra-low reflection coefficient (R) of 6.4%, achieves compatibility between shielding performance and MA properties. The relationship between dispersing media (air, water, and glycerol/water) and the shielding performance of aero/organo/hydrogels is explored, thereby achieving modulation of the shielding performance of the gel system. The work has paved a clear path for integrating absorption and shielding capabilities into a composite material, thereby providing a prototype of a highly efficient shielding material with MA performance.