Porous superhydrophobic polymer/carbon composites for lightweight and self-cleaning EMI shielding application

Porous superhydrophobic polymer composites with satisfying electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and self-cleaning function were fabricated by choosing poly(vinylidene fluoride) as low surface-energy matrix as well as carbon nanotubes and graphene as hybrid filler through a modified water vapor-induced phase separation process with non-woven fabric (NWF) as a template in one step. The hybrid filler can form more effective conductive networks, and the NWF template combined with hybrid filler and porous microstructure composed of assemble spherulites can roughen the composites, creating multi-scaled raspy surface. The resultant material exhibited not only large water contact angle of 155.4 degrees +/- 2.7 degrees (in accord with superhydrophobic characteristic) and excellent EMI shielding effectiveness up to similar to 28.5 dB at only thickness of similar to 2 mm, but also good performance stability under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. This simple and reproducible technique together with UV-resistant superhydrophobicity and EMI shielding would facilitate practical application of such materials. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.