This work presents a novel method for achieving lightweight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with high EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) through absorption-dominant mechanisms, utilizing only organic polymer nanofibers (NFs). Instead of incorporating high-density fillers, the approach involves adjusting the concentrations of iron chloride in the NFs and subsequent vapor phase polymerization (VPP) to control the polymerization density of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) NFs. This process results in NF layers with varying conductivity, creating a conductivity gradient structure. The conductivity gradient structure of the NF layers significantly enhances absorptivity by reducing impedance mismatches between the shielding material and the surrounding air, as well as between different interlayers. This reduction in impedance mismatches allows for efficient dissipation of absorbed electromagnetic (EM) waves within the highly conductive NF layer. This improved absorptivity is also attributed to the attenuation of EM wave energy through multiple reflections and scattering within the NF pores. Moreover, the gradient structure of the NF layers promotes interfacial polarization, further contributing to the effective absorption of electromagnetic waves. As a result, a high absolute EMI SE (SSEt) of 12,390 dB·cm2 g-1 with low reflectivity (0.32) was achieved without compromising the lightweight and flexible properties.
Keywords: EMI shielding materials; conducting polymer nanofibers; conductivity modulation; low reflectivity; polyvinylidene fluoride..