In-situ growth of mycelium-bamboo heterogeneous interfaces: Biofabricated porous carbon for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding and Joule heating

Electric vehicle (EV) compartments are challenged by both the risk of high-power system electromagnetic wave (EMW) exposure and the need for efficient thermal management. To address this, biofabricated porous carbon derived from renewable biomass bamboo and Ganoderma sessile fungi was synthesized via an energy-efficient, solvent-free biological process for multifunctional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and seat heating. The strategy utilized in-situ mycelial growth within bamboo substrates followed by carbonization, eliminating fossil-derived conductive fillers and associated dispersion issues. By controlling mycelial growth time (0–20 days), the heterogeneous interfaces and pore architecture of the MBCs were dynamically regulated. The optimized MBCs demonstrated enhanced interfacial polarization and conductive loss, resulting in a 76.5% improvement in absorption effectiveness (SE_A) compared to pristine BC. The total shielding effectiveness reached 45.12 dB, representing a 47.5% enhancement over pristine BC, offering improved protection against cabin EMWs. In addition, the optimized interconnecting conductive network allows for excellent electro-thermal performance, with saturation temperatures of up to 137.8 °C at a low applied voltage of 2.0 V. This demonstrates significant potential for developing energy-efficient, responsive seat heating in EVs. This biomass-derived, solvent-free approach provides a sustainable pathway for developing energy-efficient EV cabin materials with dual EMI protection and thermal management capabilities.