Journal Article

Printable Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Film with Outstanding Thermal Conductivity and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Performance

Lyding, Joseph W, Li, Bin, Liu, Jiurong, Wolan, Brendan F, Zeng, Zhihui, Wang, Gang, Wang, Changxian, He, Weidong, Yue, Shengying, Wu, Na, Zhao, Shanyu

2022

Overview

HighlightsUltrathin, lightweight, and ultraflexible aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films were fabricated via a facile, environmentally friendly, and scalable printing methodology.The aligned pattern and outstanding intrinsic properties of SWCNTs rendered “metal-like” thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and remarkable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance of the films.The excellent EMI shielding stability and reliability when subjected to mechanical deformation, chemical corrosion, and extreme environments demonstrated the significant potential of the films in aerospace, defense, and smart wearable electronics.Ultrathin, lightweight, and flexible aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films are fabricated by a facile, environmentally friendly, and scalable printing methodology. The aligned pattern and outstanding intrinsic properties render “metal-like” thermal conductivity of the SWCNT films, as well as excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, and hydrophobicity. Further, the aligned cellular microstructure promotes the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding ability of the SWCNTs, leading to excellent shielding effectiveness (SE) of ~ 39 to 90 dB despite a density of only ~ 0.6 g cm−3 at thicknesses of merely 1.5–24 µm, respectively. An ultrahigh thickness-specific SE of 25 693 dB mm−1 and an unprecedented normalized specific SE of 428 222 dB cm2 g−1 are accomplished by the freestanding SWCNT films, significantly surpassing previously reported shielding materials. In addition to an EMI SE greater than 54 dB in an ultra-broadband frequency range of around 400 GHz, the films demonstrate excellent EMI shielding stability and reliability when subjected to mechanical deformation, chemical (acid/alkali/organic solvent) corrosion, and high-/low-temperature environments. The novel printed SWCNT films offer significant potential for practical applications in the aerospace, defense, precision components, and smart wearable electronics industries.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Avionics / Broadband / Carbon / Corrosion environments / Deformation / Electromagnetic interference / Electromagnetic shielding / Extreme environments / Frequency ranges / Heat conductivity / Heat transfer / Hydrophobicity / Lightweight / Low temperature environments / Reliability / Single wall carbon nanotubes / Stability / Thermal conductivity / Thickness / Wearable technology