Graphene/SiC-coated textiles with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, Joule heating, high-temperature resistance, and pressure-sensing performances

Abstract

Multifunctional, wearable, and durable textiles integrated with smart electronics have attracted tremendous attention. However, it remains a great challenge to balance new functionalities with high temperature stability. Herein, textile-based pressure-sensors with excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, Joule heating and high temperature resistance were fabricated by constructing graphene/SiC (G/SiC) heterostructures on carbon cloth via laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD). The resultant textile exhibited excellent EMI efficiency of 74.2 dB with a thickness of 0.45 mm, Joule heating performance within low working voltage range of 1 to 3 V and fast response time within 20 s. These properties arose from multiple reflections, interfacial polarizations and high conductivity due to the numerous amounts of nanoscale G/SiC heterostructures. More importantly, the G/SiC/CFs demonstrated well high temperature resistance with a <em>T</em>_HRI of 380.16 ^oC owing to the protection of the coating layer on the carbon fibers upon oxidation. Meanwhile, the G/SiC/CFs presented good pressure-sensing performance with a high sensitivity of 52.93 kPa⁻¹, fast response time of 85 ms and wide pressure range up to 186 kPa. These features imply the potential of G/SiC/CFs as an efficient EMI shielding, electrical heater and piezoresistive sensor textiles.