Lightweight, flexible and superhydrophobic conductive composite films based on layer-by-layer self-assembly for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

With the rapid development of wearable devices, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with good flexibility and high conductivity have been desired to eliminate resulting radiation pollution. Herein, a lightweight and flexible [email protected]@[email protected] ([email protected]@PFDT) film with core-shell structure and self-cleaning property is constructed for EMI shielding application via layer-by-layer self-assembly strategy to realize oxidative polymerization of pyrrole under low-temperature environment. Polydopamine (PDA) is first decorated on the PN nanofiber to improve the interface compatibility and hence promote the uniform deposition of PPy nanoparticles (PPy-NPs). After further treatment with fluorine containing molecules, the conductive [email protected] film becomes superhydrophobic and self-cleaning. The contact angle of the composite films can reach 155°. The composite films show high conductivity up to 291S/m and high specific shielding effectiveness up to 4479 dB cm2g−1, which is attributed to the conductive core-shell structure and enhanced absorption with the hierarchical structure of the films. This strategy is of great significance for the manufacture of multifunctional composite films to achieve efficient EMI shielding performance and broaden the practical application of conductive materials.