High corrosion resistance and electromagnetic shielding properties of Ni–P@Cf paper by a chemical plating process

Recently, paper-based materials have garnered attention for their potential as lightweight and thin electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials. In this study, a Pd-free activation chemical plating process was employed to deposit a uniform and continuous low-phosphorus (P) Ni alloy coating on the surface of carbon fiber (C_f) paper. The growth process and electrocrystallization mechanism were detailed. Subsequently, the nickel-coated carbon fibers were subjected to a series of heat treatments and saltwater corrosion tests. The morphology, structure, conductivity, and electromagnetic radiation shielding performance of the composite materials were characterized. The heat-treated Ni–P@C_f paper exhibits special electromagnetic shielding capabilities, with a superior electrical conductivity (455 S cm⁻¹) and shielding performance (89.8 dB) in the X-band at 400 °C. After saltwater corrosion at 200 °C, it maintains a good electrical conductivity (225 S cm⁻¹) and shielding performance (73.5 dB) in the X-band. The electromagnetic shielding performance decreases by 12.9% compared to that before corrosion. This demonstrates that we can regulate the electromagnetic radiation shielding performance and corrosion resistance of the Ni–P@C_f paper by controlling the heat treatment temperature, providing a new approach for studying the Ni–P@C_f paper with high electromagnetic shielding performance and corrosion resistance.