Issue

Vol. 17 (2025)

Inter-Skeleton Conductive Routes Tuning Multifunctional Conductive Foam for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Sensing and Thermal Management

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01540-z
Xufeng Li
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Chunyan Chen
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Zhenyang Li
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Peng Yi
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Haihan Zou
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Gao Deng
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Ming Fang
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Junzhe He
Science and Technology On Electromagnetic Scattering Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Environmental Features, Beijing 100854, People’s Republic of China
Xin Sun
Science and Technology On Electromagnetic Scattering Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Environmental Features, Beijing 100854, People’s Republic of China
Ronghai Yu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Jianglan Shui
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Caofeng Pan
Institute of Atomic Manufacturing, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Xiaofang Liu
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Xiaofang Liu

liuxf05@buaa.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 52

Abstract

Conductive polymer foam (CPF) with excellent compressibility and variable resistance has promising applications in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and other integrated functions for wearable electronics. However, its insufficient change amplitude of resistance with compressive strain generally leads to a degradation of shielding performance during deformation. Here, an innovative loading strategy of conductive materials on polymer foam is proposed to significantly increase the contact probability and contact area of conductive components under compression. Unique inter-skeleton conductive films are constructed by loading alginate-decorated magnetic liquid metal on the polymethacrylate films hanged between the foam skeleton (denoted as AMLM-PM foam). Traditional point contact between conductive skeletons under compression is upgraded to planar contact between conductive films. Therefore, the resistance change of AMLM-PM reaches four orders of magnitude under compression. Moreover, the inter-skeleton conductive films can improve the mechanical strength of foam, prevent the leakage of liquid metal and increase the scattering area of EM wave. AMLM-PM foam has strain-adaptive EMI shielding performance and shows compression-enhanced shielding effectiveness, solving the problem of traditional CPFs upon compression. The upgrade of resistance response also enables foam to achieve sensitive pressure sensing over a wide pressure range and compression-regulated Joule heating function.


Highlights:
1 Unique inter-skeleton conductive films are constructed in polymer foam.
2 The resistance change of the foam can reach four orders of magnitude under compression.
3 This foam exhibits strain-adaptive electromagnetic interference shielding performance, anti-interference pressure sensor with high sensitivity over a wide pressure range and compression-regulated Joule heating function.

Keywords

Inter-skeleton conductive films Conductive polymer foam Liquid metal Electromagnetic interference shielding
Li, Xufeng, Chunyan Chen, Zhenyang Li, Peng Yi, Haihan Zou, Gao Deng, Ming Fang, Junzhe He, Xin Sun, Ronghai Yu, Jianglan Shui, Caofeng Pan, and Xiaofang Liu. 2024. “Inter-Skeleton Conductive Routes Tuning Multifunctional Conductive Foam for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Sensing and Thermal Management”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (October):52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01540-z.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Z. Ma, X. Xiang, L. Shao, Y. Zhang, J. Gu, Multifunctional wearable silver nanowire decorated leather nanocomposites for Joule heating, electromagnetic interference shielding and piezoresistive sensing. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61, e202200705 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202200705
  2. M. Cheng, M. Ying, R. Zhao, L. Ji, H. Li et al., Transparent and flexible electromagnetic interference shielding materials by constructing sandwich AgNW@MXene/wood composites. ACS Nano 16, 16996–17007 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c07111
  3. Z.H. Zeng, N. Wu, J.J. Wei, Y.F. Yang, T.T. Wu et al., Porous and ultra-flexible crosslinked MXene/polyimide composites for multifunctional electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 59 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00800-0
  4. B. Zhao, Z. Bai, H. Lv, Z. Yan, Y. Du et al., Self-healing liquid metal magnetic hydrogels for smart feedback sensors and high-performance electromagnetic shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 15, 79 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01043-3
  5. Y. Zhang, K. Ruan, K. Zhou, J. Gu, Controlled distributed Ti3C2Tx hollow microspheres on thermally conductive polyimide composite films for excellent electromagnetic interference shielding. Adv. Mater. 35, e2211642 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202211642
  6. X. Guan, S. Tan, L. Wang, Y. Zhao, G. Ji, Electronic modulation strategy for mass-producible ultrastrong multifunctional biomass-based fiber aerogel devices: interfacial bridging. ACS Nano 17, 20525–20536 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c07300
  7. Z. Cheng, R. Wang, Y. Cao, Z. Cai, Z. Zhang et al., Intelligent off/on switchable microwave absorption performance of reduced graphene oxide/VO2 composite aerogel. Adv. Funct. Mater. 32, 2205160 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202205160
  8. R. Xing, G. Xu, N. Qu, R. Zhou, J. Yang et al., 3D printing of liquid-metal-in-ceramic metamaterials for high-efficient microwave absorption. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2307499 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202307499
  9. M. Qin, L. Zhang, H. Wu, Dielectric loss mechanism in electromagnetic wave absorbing materials. Adv. Sci. 9, 2105553 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202105553
  10. L. Wang, Z. Ma, H. Qiu, Y. Zhang, Z. Yu et al., Significantly enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding performances of epoxy nanocomposites with long-range aligned lamellar structures. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 224 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00949-8
  11. M. Nabeel, M. Mousa, B. Viskolcz, B. Fiser, L. Vanyorek, Recent advances in flexible foam pressure sensors: manufacturing, characterization, and applications–a review. Polym. Rev. 64, 449–489 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2023.2262558
  12. W. Gu, S.J.H. Ong, Y. Shen, W. Guo, Y. Fang et al., A lightweight, elastic, and thermally insulating stealth foam with high infrared-radar compatibility. Adv. Sci. 9, e2204165 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202204165
  13. Y. Zhang, J. Gu, A perspective for developing polymer-based electromagnetic interference shielding composites. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 89 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00843-3
  14. L. Wu, S. Shi, G. Wang, P. Mou, X. Liu et al., Carbon nanocoils/carbon foam as the dynamically frequency-tunable microwave absorbers with an ultrawide tuning range and absorption bandwidth. Adv. Funct. Mater. 32, 2209898 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202209898
  15. J. Cheng, C. Li, Y. Xiong, H. Zhang, H. Raza et al., Recent advances in design strategies and multifunctionality of flexible electromagnetic interference shielding materials. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 80 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00823-7
  16. B. Yao, W. Hong, T. Chen, Z. Han, X. Xu et al., Highly stretchable polymer composite with strain-enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness. Adv. Mater. 32, e1907499 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201907499
  17. X. Liu, Y. Li, X. Sun, W. Tang, G. Deng et al., Off/on switchable smart electromagnetic interference shielding aerogel. Matter 4, 1735–1747 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2021.02.022
  18. J. Li, Y. Zhang, X. Li, C. Chen, H. Zou et al., Oriented magnetic liquid metal-filled interlocked bilayer films as multifunctional smart electromagnetic devices. Nano Res. 16, 1764–1772 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-022-4843-z
  19. X. Jia, B. Shen, L. Zhang, W. Zheng, Construction of shape-memory carbon foam composites for adjustable EMI shielding under self-fixable mechanical deformation. Chem. Eng. J. 405, 126927 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126927
  20. X. Hou, X.-R. Feng, K. Jiang, Y.-C. Zheng, J.-T. Liu et al., Recent progress in smart electromagnetic interference shielding materials. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 186, 256–271 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.01.008
  21. X. Wu, Y. Han, X. Zhang, Z. Zhou, C. Lu, Large-area compliant, low-cost, and versatile pressure-sensing platform based on microcrack-designed carbon black@polyurethane sponge for human–machine interfacing. Adv. Funct. Mater. 26, 6246–6256 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201601995
  22. B. Shen, Y. Li, W. Zhai, W. Zheng, Compressible graphene-coated polymer foams with ultralow density for adjustable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 8050–8057 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b11715
  23. X. Zhang, K. Wu, G. Zhao, H. Deng, Q. Fu, The preparation of high performance Multi-functional porous sponge through a biomimic coating strategy based on polyurethane dendritic colloids. Chem. Eng. J. 438, 135659 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.135659
  24. R. Zhao, S. Kang, C. Wu, Z. Cheng, Z. Xie et al., Designable electrical/thermal coordinated dual-regulation based on liquid metal shape memory polymer foam for smart switch. Adv. Sci. 10, e2205428 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202205428
  25. Y. Xu, Z. Lin, K. Rajavel, T. Zhao, P. Zhu et al., Tailorable, lightweight and superelastic liquid metal monoliths for multifunctional electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 29 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-021-00766-5
  26. Y. Wei, P. Bhuyan, S.J. Kwon, S. Kim, Y. Bae et al., Liquid metal grid patterned thin film devices toward absorption-dominant and strain-tunable electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 248 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01457-7
  27. R. Guo, X. Sun, S. Yao, M. Duan, H. Wang et al., Semi-liquid-metal-(Ni-EGaIn)-based ultraconformable electronic tattoo. Adv. Mater. Technol. 4, 1900183 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.201900183
  28. R. Guo, J. Tang, S. Dong, J. Lin, H. Wang et al., One-step liquid metal transfer printing: toward fabrication of flexible electronics on wide range of substrates. Adv. Mater. Technol. 3, 1800265 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.201800265
  29. L. Ren, S. Sun, G. Casillas-Garcia, M. Nancarrow, G. Peleckis et al., A liquid-metal-based magnetoactive slurry for stimuli-responsive mechanically adaptive electrodes. Adv. Mater. 30, e1802595 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201802595
  30. W. Kong, Z. Wang, M. Wang, K.C. Manning, A. Uppal et al., Oxide-mediated formation of chemically stable tungsten-liquid metal mixtures for enhanced thermal interfaces. Adv. Mater. 31, e1904309 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201904309
  31. F. Pan, M. Ning, Z. Li, D. Batalu, H. Guo et al., Sequential architecture induced strange dielectric-magnetic behaviors in ferromagnetic microwave absorber. Adv. Funct. Mater. 33, 2300374 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202300374
  32. M. He, J. Hu, H. Yan, X. Zhong, Y. Zhang et al., Shape anisotropic chain-like CoNi/polydimethylsiloxane composite films with excellent low-frequency microwave absorption and high thermal conductivity. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2316691 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202316691
  33. X. Li, M. Li, J. Xu, J. You, Z. Yang et al., Evaporation-induced sintering of liquid metal droplets with biological nanofibrils for flexible conductivity and responsive actuation. Nat. Commun. 10, 3514 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11466-5
  34. X. Qi, L. Yu, Y. Liu, L. Chen, X. Li, Liquid metal powders wrapped with robust shell by bimetallic ions chelation strategy for energy harvesting and flexible electronics. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2313960 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202313960
  35. X. Qi, Y. Liu, L. Yu, Z. Yu, L. Chen et al., Versatile liquid metal/alginate composite fibers with enhanced flame retardancy and triboelectric performance for smart wearable textiles. Adv. Sci. 10, e2303406 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202303406
  36. R.Y. Tay, H. Li, J. Lin, H. Wang, J.S.K. Lim et al., Lightweight, superelastic boron nitride/polydimethylsiloxane foam as air dielectric substitute for multifunctional capacitive sensor applications. Adv. Funct. Mater. 30, 1909604 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201909604
  37. W. Wu, X. Han, J. Li, X. Wang, Y. Zhang et al., Ultrathin and conformable lead halide perovskite photodetector arrays for potential application in retina-like vision sensing. Adv. Mater. 33, e2006006 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202006006
  38. X. Mo, T. Li, F. Huang, Z. Li, Y. Zhou et al., Highly-efficient all-inorganic lead-free 1D CsCu2I3 single crystal for white-light emitting diodes and UV photodetection. Nano Energy 81, 105570 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105570
  39. X. Li, M. Li, L. Zong, X. Wu, J. You et al., Liquid metal droplets wrapped with polysaccharide microgel as biocompatible aqueous ink for flexible conductive devices. Adv. Funct. Mater. 28, 1804197 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201804197
  40. J. Yang, H. Wang, Y. Zhang, H. Zhang, J. Gu, Layered structural PBAT composite foams for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01246-8
  41. Y. Liu, Y. Wang, N. Wu, M. Han, W. Liu et al., Diverse structural design strategies of MXene-based macrostructure for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 15, 240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01203-5
  42. Q.-M. He, J.-R. Tao, Y. Yang, D. Yang, K. Zhang et al., Effect surface micro-wrinkles and micro-cracks on microwave shielding performance of copper-coated carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane composites. Carbon 213, 118216 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118216
  43. Z. Deng, L. Li, P. Tang, C. Jiao, Z.Z. Yu et al., Controllable surface-grafted MXene inks for electromagnetic wave modulation and infrared anti-counterfeiting applications. ACS Nano 16, 16976–16986 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c07084
  44. N. Wu, Y. Yang, C. Wang, Q. Wu, F. Pan et al., Ultrathin cellulose nanofiber assisted ambient-pressure-dried, ultralight, mechanically robust, multifunctional MXene aerogels. Adv. Mater. 35, e2207969 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202207969
  45. M.-L. Huang, C.-L. Luo, C. Sun, K.-Y. Zhao, M. Wang, In-situ microfibrilization of liquid metal droplets in polymer matrix for enhancing electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal conductivity. Compos. Sci. Technol. 255, 110724 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2024.110724
  46. G. Diguet, G. Sebald, M. Nakano, M. Lallart, J.-Y. Cavaillé, Magnetic behavior of magneto-rheological foam under uniaxial compression strain. Smart Mater. Struct. 31, 025018 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665x/ac3fc8
  47. G. Diguet, J. Froemel, M. Muroyama, K. Ohtaka, Tactile sensing using magnetic foam. Polymers 14, 834 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040834
  48. P. Liu, G. Zhang, H. Xu, S. Cheng, Y. Huang et al., Synergistic dielectric–magnetic enhancement via phase-evolution engineering and dynamic magnetic resonance. Adv. Funct. Mater. 33, 2211298 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202211298
  49. Y. Shi, Z. Ma, X. Zhang, F. Yan, Y. Zhao et al., Flexible film constructed by asymmetrically-coordinated La1N4Cl1 moieties on interconnected nitrogen-doped graphene nanocages for high-efficiency electromagnetic wave absorption. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2313483 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202313483
  50. J. Yan, Q. Zheng, S.-P. Wang, Y.-Z. Tian, W.-Q. Gong et al., Multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite microcrystalline engineering and electromagnetic response switching multi-band devices. Adv. Mater. 35, e2300015 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202300015
  51. H. Zhao, X. Xu, Y. Wang, D. Fan, D. Liu et al., Heterogeneous interface induced the formation of hierarchically hollow carbon microcubes against electromagnetic pollution. Small 16, e2003407 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202003407
  52. Y. Wu, Y. Zhao, M. Zhou, S. Tan, R. Peymanfar et al., Ultrabroad microwave absorption ability and infrared stealth property of nano-micro CuS@rGO lightweight aerogels. Nano-Micro Lett. 14, 171 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-022-00906-5
  53. B. Zhan, Y. Qu, X. Qi, J. Ding, J.-J. Shao et al., Mixed-dimensional assembly strategy to construct reduced graphene oxide/carbon foams heterostructures for microwave absorption, anti-corrosion and thermal insulation. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 221 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01447-9
  54. X. Zeng, X. Jiang, Y. Ning, Y. Gao, R. Che, Constructing built-in electric fields with semiconductor junctions and Schottky junctions based on Mo-MXene/Mo-metal sulfides for electromagnetic response. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 213 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01449-7
  55. Y.-J. He, Y.-W. Shao, Y.-Y. Xiao, J.-H. Yang, X.-D. Qi et al., Multifunctional phase change composites based on elastic MXene/silver nanowire sponges for excellent thermal/solar/electric energy storage, shape memory, and adjustable electromagnetic interference shielding functions. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 14, 6057–6070 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c23303
  56. Y. Chen, Y. Liu, Y. Li, H. Qi, Highly sensitive, flexible, stable, and hydrophobic biofoam based on wheat flour for multifunctional sensor and adjustable EMI shielding applications. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13, 30020–30029 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c05803
  57. J. Chen, W.-J. Jiang, Z. Zeng, D.-X. Sun, X.-D. Qi et al., Multifunctional shape memory foam composites integrated with tunable electromagnetic interference shielding and sensing. Chem. Eng. J. 466, 143373 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.143373
  58. R. Zhu, Z. Li, G. Deng, Y. Yu, J. Shui et al., Anisotropic magnetic liquid metal film for wearable wireless electromagnetic sensing and smart electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano Energy 92, 106700 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106700
  59. H. Ma, M. Fashandi, Z.B. Rejeb, X. Ming, Y. Liu et al., Efficient electromagnetic wave absorption and thermal infrared stealth in PVTMS@MWCNT nano-aerogel via abundant nano-sized cavities and attenuation interfaces. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 20 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01218-y
  60. C.-L. Luo, M.-L. Huang, C. Sun, K.-Y. Zhao, H. Guo et al., Anisotropic electromagnetic wave shielding performance in Janus cellulose nanofiber composite films. Mater. Today Phys. 44, 101440 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtphys.2024.101440
  61. H. Lv, Y. Yao, S. Li, G. Wu, B. Zhao et al., Staggered circular nanoporous graphene converts electromagnetic waves into electricity. Nat. Commun. 14, 1982 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37436-6
  62. T. Zhou, C. Xu, H. Liu, Q. Wei, H. Wang et al., Second time-scale synthesis of high-quality graphite films by quenching for effective electromagnetic interference shielding. ACS Nano 14, 3121–3128 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b08169
  63. Z. Zhao, Y. Qing, L. Kong, H. Xu, X. Fan et al., Advancements in microwave absorption motivated by interdisciplinary research. Adv. Mater. 36, e2304182 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202304182
  64. Y. Zhao, W. Gao, K. Dai, S. Wang, Z. Yuan et al., Bioinspired multifunctional photonic-electronic smart skin for ultrasensitive health monitoring, for visual and self-powered sensing. Adv. Mater. 33, e2102332 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202102332
  65. P. Yi, H. Zou, Y. Yu, X. Li, Z. Li et al., MXene-reinforced liquid metal/polymer fibers via interface engineering for wearable multifunctional textiles. ACS Nano 16, 14490–14502 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c04863
  66. L. Li, Y. Yan, J. Liang, J. Zhao, C. Lyu et al., Wearable EMI shielding composite films with integrated optimization of electrical safety, biosafety and thermal safety. Adv. Sci. 11, e2400887 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202400887
Read More
Author biographies are not available.
Statistic
Read Counter : 539 Download : 395

Most read articles by the same author(s)