Multifunctional phase change textiles with electromagnetic interference shielding and multiple thermal response characteristics

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding textiles with flexible thermal response are ideal candidates for applications in electromagnetic radiation protection, flexible electronic and information security. In general, silicone resins used to encapsulate textiles can delay the thermal response, which seriously limits the application of textiles in multiple scenarios. Herein, we have developed a flexible solid–solid phase change material (PCM) coating which is achieved by self-crosslinking polyethylene glycol (PEG) with highly reactive silanol group obtained by reaction with 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTS). The solid–solid PCM coating retains the phase change behavior of original PEG while providing excellent shape stabilization. Subsequently, the solid–solid PCM coating is used to encapsulate polymer textiles decorated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) based on a scalable dip coating strategy. Notably, the phase change textiles have an EMI shielding effectiveness of approximately 72 dB at the thickness of 0.26 mm and exhibit an energy storage density of 86.6 J g−1. Meanwhile, the textiles exhibit flexible thermal response such as high joule heating efficiency, excellent heat storage and release, good heat dissipation, and infrared anti-counterfeiting behavior. Thus, multifunctional textiles decorated with AgNWs and subsequently encapsulated with solid–solid PCM coatings have great promise for wearable clothing, electromagnetic radiation protection and personal thermal management.