Anisotropic Silver Nanowires/Activated Nanofiber Aerogels for Electromagnetic Shielding

As electronic devices advance, the electromagnetic (EM) interference generated by the emission of EM waves persists and intensifies, considerably impacting the normal operation of electronic equipment and human health. To address this issue, microporous composite silver nanowire (AgNWs)/activated nanofiber (ANF) aerogels, endowed with EM-shielding properties, were prepared via liquid nitrogen unidirectional freezing and freeze-drying techniques. Hydrogen bonds generated between the carbonyl groups of polyvinylpyrrolidone covering the surfaces of the AgNWs and the amino groups of ANF promoted entanglement between AgNWs and ANF. This integration not only improved the mechanical properties but also diminished the pore dimensions of AgNWs/ANF aerogels. In addition, the incorporation of 50 wt % AgNWs exceptionally boosted the electrical conductivity of the composite, measuring at 845.5 S/cm, while maintaining a low density of 89.4 mg/cm3. Simultaneously, this composite aerogel exhibited an EM interference (EMI) shielding effect of 31.4 dB, adequately meeting the requirements of various commercial applications that necessitate EMI shielding. Overall, this lightweight aerogel possesses promising potential for applications in the electronics and communication field.