Synergistic effect of 2D TiC and 1D CNT towards absorption-dominant high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding in 3D macroporous carbon aerogel

Developing high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites with absorption-dominant is an effective method to address the problem of violent electromagnetic radiation pollution. Herein, the MXene-derived TiC-carbon nanotube (CNT)/cellulose-derived carbon aerogel was prepared by grafting, freeze-drying and pyrolysis process. The electrostatic attraction between cationic cellulose and MXene-CNT hybrid fillers improves the dispersion of fillers. The as-prepared aerogel composites exhibit the high absorption capacity of electromagnetic waves (EMWs) owing to embedding fillers into cell walls prevents the blockage of macro pores. On the basis of this, the massive heterogeneous interfaces, the synergistic effect of TiC and CNT, as well as the polarization and relaxation processes of N-doped carbon improve the attenuation capacity for EMWs. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) value boosts up from ∼50 dB for pure cellulose-derived carbon aerogel to 89.7 dB in conjunction with the superior absorption coefficient of 0.77 at the total fillers content of only 3 wt% in the precursor aerogel. Additionally, the aerogels show low thermal conductivities due to the macro pores. Therefore, the lightweight composite aerogel with the remarkable EMI shielding performance and excellent thermal insulation property is highly promising for applications in aerospace, telecommunications and building construction.