Ultrathin Thickness Research Articles

Modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymer binder enables ultrathin sulfide solid electrolyte membrane for all-solid-state batteries

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) employing high-ionic-conductivity sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are the most promising next-generation batteries. Scalable fabrication of sulfide SE membranes is the priority for mass production of ASSBs. However, due to the poor chemical stability of sulfide SEs, the wet-slurry-based preparation of sulfide SE membranes is still hindered by limited choices of solvent-binder systems. Herein, we reported a modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (M-PVDF) binder to achieve environment-friendly fabrication of sulfide SE membranes. Copolymerization is firstly performed on the widely-used PVDF binder to decrease crystallinity, which facilitate excellent solubility in the isobutyl isobutyrate-based slurry. Utilizing this efficient M-PVDF binder, the sulfide SE membrane achieves a high ionic conductivity of 2 mS cm−1 at 25 °C, an ultra-thin thickness of 26 μm, and good flexibility. The resulting ASSBs exhibit excellent rate performance with 53.51 % capacity utilization ratio at 5C. The ASSB also maintains high capacity retention rates of 96.9 % after 350 cycles under 0.5C at 25 °C and 87.8 % after 1000 cycles under 5C at 45 °C. This work can facilitate the non-toxic wet-slurry-based manufacturing of sulfide SE membrane, helping to promote the commercialization of ASSBs.

A Universal Strategy for Synthesis of Large-Area and Ultrathin Metal Oxide/rGO Film Towards Scalable Fabrication of High-Performance Wearable Microsupercapacitors.

High-performance wearable microsupercapacitor (MSC) as energy storage components is highly desirable for developing self-powering wearable electronics. However, synthesis of MSC electrode film concurrently possessing large area, ultrathin thickness, and high areal energy storage capability is still challenging. Herein, a universal strategy is reported to synthesize large-area and ultrathin metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid-structured films by attaching self-assembled film of a wide range of MONPs onto self-assembled rGO film and subsequent carbonization. Combining a template-assisted patterning strategy and a floating film salvaging process, flexible symmetric and asymmetric MSCs based on MONPs@C/rGO films can be easily prepared in large areas. MONP agglomeration is avoided and its pseudocapacitive behavior is well utilized, thereby realizing a high areal specific capacitance of 9.32 mF cm-2 in Fe3O4@C/rGO-based symmetric MSC at a film thickness of only 275 nm, corresponding to a high volumetric specific capacitance of 338.9 F cm-3. Moreover, the MnO@C/rGO‖Fe3O4@C/rGO-based asymmetric MSC delivers a high volumetric energy density of 69.8 mWh cm-3. The MSCs also demonstrate their efficient power supply in wearable self-powering systems. This work provides a new route for scalable preparation of high-performance wearable MSCs, and also enables customizable fabrication and performance tuning of MSCs.

Hierarchical configuration design of PAN/Gr@MWCNTs composite film with superior electromagnetic shielding and excellent Joule heating via in-situ sedimentation strategy

With the rapid development of 5G communication technology, the surge in the number of antenna modules for intelligent terminal equipment has led to the intensification of electromagnetic radiation and interference problems, posing a major threat to electronic equipment safety, information systems stability, and human health. Traditional electromagnetic shielding materials have made it difficult to meet the demand for intelligent, integrated electronics. In this study, we proposed an in-situ sedimentation strategy to fabricate flexible polyacrylonitrile/graphene@multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PAN/Gr@MWCNTs) composite film with hierarchical double-layered structures, thus realizing ultra-thin, highly conductive, and excellent electromagnetic shielding and Joule heating properties. Particularly, the as-formed hierarchical film possessed an ultra-thin thickness of 0.158 mm and a high conductivity of 1660.26 S/m, simultaneously accompanied by an electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of 42.82 dB and a specific shielding efficiency (SSE) of 271.01 dB/mm. In addition, the film exhibited excellent Joule heating capability in the voltage range of 1.50-2.25 V. This study provides innovative ideas for developing flexible electromagnetic shielding films, which are of great scientific significance and potential application in electromagnetic radiation protection.

Dual magnetic particles modified carbon nanosheets in CoFe/Co@NC heterostructure for efficient electromagnetic synergy

Dual magnetic particles-modified carbon materials have great potential in terms of ultrathin thickness (≤ 2 mm) and super electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption (≤ -70 dB). Herein, using CoFe-metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived CoFe/Co@NC heterostructures composed of hollow CoFe nanospheres, solid Co nanospheres, and nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) nanosheets, we demonstrate how the dual magnetic particles regulate the electromagnetic response behavior of the heterostructure and thus steer the efficient EMW absorption performance. That is, CoFe/Co@NC heterostructure inherits an ultra-strong reflection loss (R L) of -73.8 dB at 1.78 mm. The effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) value is also available up to 5.4 GHz. Moreover, computer simulation technology (CST) simulations reveal the good radar stealth effect of heterostructures. Experimentally, the outstanding EMW absorption of CoFe/Co@NC heterostructure is due to a large number of heterointerfaces, good conductive networks and dual magnetic nanoparticles, which bring considerable interface polarization, conduction loss, and magnetic loss characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of electromagnetic synergy induced by dual magnetic particles for steering the electromagnetic response of EMW absorbers.

Methanol tolerable ultrathin proton exchange membrane fabricated via in-situ ionic self-crosslinking strategy for high-performance DMFCs

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with high proton conductivity, mechanical stability, and methanol barrier capability is urgently needed for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFCs). In response, a series of highly sulfonated polybenzimidazoles (SPBI) were synthesized, followed by the creation of a unique in-situ ionic self-crosslinking mechanism via acid-base pair interactions between –SO3- and protonated N within the imidazolium rings of SPBI in an acidic milieu. The in-situ ionic self-crosslinking not only significantly enhances the mechanical stability of the prepared membrane, but also constructs a microstructure with a free volume radius smaller than the molecular dimensions of methanol, subsequently imparting unparalleled resistance to methanol permeation. After being reduced to an ultrathin thickness of 15 μm, the optimal SPBI-SO3H-200 % membrane obtains remarkable high specific proton conductivity of 33.48 S cm−2. Furthermore, the assembled DMFC demonstrates an exceptionally low methanol crossover current density of 188.25 mA/cm2 alongside high power density of 109.92 mW cm−2 within 2 M methanol fuel, significantly outperforming the methanol crossover current density of 386.06 mA/cm2 and power density of 87.13 mW cm−2 achieved by a single cell assembled with Nafion 115 membrane.

Monolithic integration of GaN Micro-LEDs to active matrix driving transistors made on transfer-free graphene

Traditional semiconductor used as channel materials in driving transistors suffer from significant performance degradation as the semiconductor thickness is reduced. The two-dimensional (2D) materials with smooth, dangling-bond-free surfaces, represented by graphene, can be alternatives. Graphene boasts several advantages, including structural stability, ultra-thin thickness, near-total transparency, exceptional flexibility, and high mobility. Therefore, graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) in the paper are used to drive Micro-light-emitting diodes (Micro-LEDs), key elements in next-generation advanced displays due to their high resolution, high brightness, high contrast, etc. Importantly, this study addresses the two major bottlenecks i.e. Micro-LEDs’ mass transfer and graphene transfer. That is, monolithically integrated devices of Micro-LED and its driver GFET are designed and fabricated, bypassing the issue of traditional Micro-LEDs’ mass transfer. For the first time, transfer-free method by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used to grow graphene directly on GaN Micro-LED samples and prepared graphene transistors. This approach avoids doping and damage to the graphene during the transfer process, significantly shortens the growth time, and improves the fabrication efficiency. The devices possess broad applications potential and compatibility with semiconductor planar processes. This study paves the way for the transfer-free growth of graphene and the integration of Micro-LEDs with 2D materials transistors.

A frequency reconfigurable antireflection metasurface for GPR

Abstract The antireflection metasurface (AM) is employed in ground penetrating radar (GPR) to mitigate the strong reflection of electromagnetic waves at the air-ground interface due to impedance mismatch. However, due to constraints imposed by the relative bandwidth (RBW) and manufacturing processes, these layers tend to exhibit excessive thickness and bulky shape, narrow RBW, and fixed functionality in a passive configuration. This paper presents a novel, dual-band, independent wideband tuning, frequency reconfigurable AM based on varactor diodes with center frequencies of 1.35 GHz and 2.60 GHz. This metasurface possesses positive properties such as a single layer, the ultrathin thickness (0.03 & 0.06λ), the wide RBW (43.3% & 27.4%) and remarkable antireflection. The aforementioned metasurface achieves the described mechanisms and features through the destructive interference theory and the combine element technique. Numerical simulation results of surface currents and electric field energy power demonstrate the antireflection property. The equivalent electromagnetic parameter retrieval results also provide equivalent impedance conditions for non-perfect antireflection. The proposed AM samples demonstrate notable stepwise frequency reconfigurable properties in free-space experiments. The imaging effect after loading this AM is significantly improved in real-world GPR ballast roadbed anomaly detection experiments. This approach provides significant research value and promising prospects across various disciplines, including the stepped-frequency GPR, microwave imaging, and interdisciplinary fields.

Multiplexing Integration Meta‐Absorber in an Ultrathin Planar Board

A meta‐absorber is a type of metamaterial capable of absorbing incident electromagnetic waves, primarily used for isolating and attenuating these waves. Due to their unique properties, meta‐absorbers are widely used in areas of electronic shielding, radar cross‐section reduction, as well as military camouflage. To enhance the working bandwidth, conventional meta‐absorbers integrate multiresonance modes in different layers, resulting in increased thickness and limiting their applications. Herein, a multiplexing integration meta‐absorber is proposed in a one‐layer planar board, achieving an ultrathin thickness of 0.053 λ and an ultrawide absorption band covering the whole X and Ku bands (8.0–18.0 GHz) by harnessing the coupling of four resonant modes. Moreover, the designed meta‐absorber is insensitive to the polarization of incident waves and exhibits good angle stability within ±45°. The experimental results agree well with the simulations. These findings may inspire the development of ultrathin metadevices with multifunctionalities operating across different frequency domains.

A Compact Ultra-Wideband Millimeter-Wave Four-Port Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Antenna for 5G Internet of Things Applications.

This paper presents a compact design for a four-element multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications covering the bands of n257/n258/n261. The MIMO design covers the frequency range of 24.25-29.5 GHz, with a wide bandwidth of 5.25 GHz. The element of the MIMO antenna structure uses a single circular patch with an inset feed, and, in order to improve the reflection coefficient (S11), a half-disk parasitic patch is positioned on top of the circular patch. Moreover, to fine-tune the antenna's characteristics, two vertical stubs on the extreme ends of the ground plane are introduced. For this design, a Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 substrate with ultra-thin thickness is used. After the optimization of the design, the four-port MIMO antenna attained a tiny size, with the dimensions 16.2 mm × 16.2 mm × 0.254 mm. In terms of the MIMO parameters, the ECC (Envelop Correlation coefficient) is less than 0.002 and the DG (Diversity Gain) is greater than 9.99 dB in the mentioned band, which are within the tolerance limits. Also, in spite of the very small size and the four-port configuration, the achieved isolation between the neighboring MIMO elements is less than -23.5 dB.

Ultrathin, flexible, and high-performance bacterial cellulose/copper nanowires film for broadband electromagnetic interference shielding and photothermal conversion

The swift advancements in wearable electronics, implantable medical devices, fifth-generation mobile communication, unmanned aerial vehicles, and military stealth technology have led to a surge in demand for highly flexible multifunctional films. Consequently, the enhancement of electromagnetic radiation and the requirement for normal operation in extreme environments have posed significant challenges for flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding films. In this paper, ultra-thin, flexible bacterial cellulose (BC)/copper nanowires (CuNWs) (BCu) films with Janus structure are prepared by the combination of microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and vacuum filtration method, which can be used for broadband EMI shielding and photothermal conversion. BCu films demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, boasting a tensile strength range from 48.5 to 77.3 MPa, accompanied fracture strain 4.1–5.9 %. When CuNWs mass in Janus film increases to 10 mg, the conductivity of BCu-4 Janus films can reach 4761.90 S cm−1. The ultra-strong EMI shielding effectiveness (SE, above 56.00 dB) is achieved in 6–26.5 GHz for BCu-4 film with an ultra-thin thickness (16 μm). Moreover, the specific EMI SE of BCu-4 is as high as 4294.38 dB mm−1. Furthermore, BCu Janus films exhibit outstanding photothermal conversion performance. A saturation temperature of BCu-4 Janus film reaches as high as 75 °C under irradiation of one sunlight (100 mW cm−2). The facile and collaborative strategy is provided for fabricating ultra-thin, flexible multifunctional Janus films with EMI shielding and photothermal conversion capabilities, addressing EMI problems in modern electronic technology and offering new avenues for applications in various fields.

Genome engineering of materials based on Ce doping, high-performance electromagnetic wave absorber for marine environment

Traditional microwave absorbing materials (MAM) are difficult to meet the current increasingly complex electromagnetic environment, MAM began to functionally integrated development to meet the needs of diversified applications. For the high humidity and high salt spray environment of the ocean, the development of electromagnetic absorber integrating microwave absorption (MA) and corrosion protection functions is imminent. In this work, high-quality genes were screened through materials genome engineering, and in-situ doping strategies of Ce gene were designed to synergistically enhance MA properties using composition modulation and structure modulation, the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of composite material WC@FCC1 can reach 5.62 GHz at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.66 mm. Thanks to the unique 4f orbital mechanism of Ce element, CeO2 is endowed with excellent redox property, forming an oxide protective film on the surface, which prevents the entry of external corrosive media. The excellent corrosion protection performance of the composite material has been verified through electrochemical testing and molecular dynamics simulation. This work provides new design ideas for high-performance MAM, as well as new strategies and insights for functionally integrated electromagnetic absorber.

Low-frequency broadband acoustic ventilation meta-barrier based on consecutive multiple Fano resonances

Acoustic metamaterials utilizing Fano resonance provide the possibility of simultaneous airborne sound insulation and high-performance ventilation. However, the ultra-sharp line shape results in a narrow working frequency range, which is still insufficient for practical applications. In this work, we propose a low-frequency acoustic meta-barrier supporting consecutive multiple Fano resonances (CMFRs) with broadband (~75%) capability, efficient ventilation, and ultra-thin thickness, etc. The barrier features a binary metastructure, incorporating a chiral space coiling tunnel and a hollow pipe in a planar arrangement. This configuration offers discrete and continuous states within the composed Fano system, corresponding to the tunnel and the pipe, respectively. By means of superposition of multi-order Fano resonance modes, the destructive interference between the discrete and continuum states keeps effective in a broad frequency range, while simultaneously achieving high air permeability. Numerical results of transmission loss show significant attenuation of incident energy in the range of 479-1032 Hz. Our work lays the groundwork for next generation of Fano-based metamaterial applications, with far-reaching implications for noise control and related fields.

Targeted recognition and enhanced biotransformation of phytochemicals by a dual-functional cellulose-based hydrogel bioreactor

The combined technology of molecular imprinting and immobilization is a promising strategy for improving biocatalytic performance. In this work, a dual-functional cellulose-based hydrogel bioreactor with targeted recognition and transformation functions was innovatively designed by cellulose-based molecularly imprinted polymers (CM-MIPs) hydrogel coupled with layered double hydroxide immobilized enzyme (LDH-E). Firstly, CM-MIPs hydrogel was prepared by using phlorizin, 4-pinylpyridine, and cellulose microspheres as template molecule, functional monomer, and support material, respectively. Meanwhile, layered double hydroxide (LDH) taken as a carrier to immobilize β-glucosidase. The prepared LDH was layered sheet-like structure with ultra-thin thickness of approximately only 1.5 nm, and β-glucosidase was immobilized on both sides of the LDH. Further, the dual-functional bioreactor was constructed by the anion exchange, which possessed maximum targeted adsorption capacity to phlorizin of 15.25 mg/g, exhibited 1.2 folds higher transformation efficiency than LDH-E, and the phloretin content increased 26 folds to that in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chu leaves extracts. Moreover, the transformation efficiency remained above 70 % even after five consecutive transformations. Overall, the dual-functional bioreactor has broad prospects for the application in targeted recognition and transformation of phytochemicals, and provides a new insight on multifunctional bio-based reactors in natural production field.

Even–Odd Layer Oscillatory Behavior of Electronic and Phononic Specific Heat in an Ultra-Thin Metal Film

Both electronic and phononic statistical and thermal properties, modulated by the quantum size effect, are suggested in a thin metal film. In order to show the quantum size effect of specific heat, the densities of the electron and phonon states of an ultra-thin film are treated within the framework of quantum statistics. It was found that strong and weak “even–odd layer oscillatory behavior” was exhibited by the ultra-thin metal film in electronic and lattice specific heat, respectively. Such a behavior, which depends on film thickness, results from the quantum confinement of electrons and phonons in the vertical (thickness) direction of the film, where both electrons and phonons form their respective quantum well standing wave modes. If, for example, the thickness of the ultra-thin metal film is exactly an integer multiple of a half wavelength of the standing wave of electrons in the thickness direction, the corresponding density of states would become maximized, and the electronic specific heat would take its maximum. In the literature, less attention has been paid to the size-dependent electron Fermi wavelength for quantum size effects, i.e., the Fermi wavelength in ultra-thin metal films has always been identified as a constant. We shall show how the Fermi wavelength varies with the size of a nanofilm, including an explicit analytic formulation for the thickness dependence of the electron Fermi wavelength. Size-dependent resonantly oscillatory behavior, depending on the ultra-thin or nanoscale film thickness, would have possible significance for researching some fundamental physical characteristics (e.g., low-dimensional quantum statistics) and may find potential applications in new thermodynamic device design.

Spontaneous Orientation Polarization of Anisotropic Equivalent Dipoles Harnessed by Entropy Engineering for Ultra-Thin Electromagnetic Wave Absorber

HighlightsThe strengthening mechanism of spontaneous orientation polarization of anisotropic equivalent dipoles within high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is proposed for enhancing dielectric attenuation of HEAs.The source of carbon supporter is expanded to the biomass category, which can construct the shell-core heterointerfaces with HEAs by means of a reformative carbothermal shock method.The sample carbonized cellulose paper/HEAs-Mn2.15 achieves efficient electromagnetic wave absorption of -51.35 dB at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.03 mm.This work combines theoretical calculations and electromagnetic simulations to propose feasible strategies for the design and application of electromagnetic functional devices such as ultra-wideband bandpass filter.

Comparison of oven drying and freeze drying methods for the production of fast melt films containing quetiapine fumarate

Background Quetiapine fumarate (QTP) is commonly prescribed for schizophrenic patient, typically available in tablet or oral suspension form, presenting challenges such as administration difficulties, fear of choking and distaste for its bitter taste. Fast melt films (FMF) offer an alternative dosage form with a simple development process, ease of administration and rapid drug absorption and action onset. Objective This study aims to prepare FMF with different formulations using solvent casting methods and to compare the effects of different drying methods, including oven drying and freeze drying, on the properties of the films. Methods Various formulations were created by manipulating polymer types (starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and guar gum) at different concentrations, along with fixed concentrations of QTP and other excipients. Characterisation tests including surface morphology, weight, thickness, pH, tensile strength, elongation length, Young’s modulus, folding endurance and disintegration time were conducted. The optimal FMF formulation was identified and further evaluated for moisture and drug content, dissolution behaviour, accelerated stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and palatability. Results FMF containing 10 mg guar gum/film developed using oven drying emerged as the optimum choice, exhibiting desirable film appearance, ultra-thin thickness (0.453 ± 0.002 mm), appropriate pH for oral intake (pH 5.0), optimal moisture content of 11.810%, rapid disintegration (52.67 ± 1.53 seconds), high flexibility (folding endurance > 300 times) and lower Young’s modulus (1.308 ± 0.214). Conclusion Oven drying method has been proven to be favourable for developing FMF containing QTP, meeting all testing criteria and providing an alternative option for QTP prescription.

Progressive hollow engineering induced raspberry-like magnetoelectric microspheres via synergistic etching-assembly strategy toward boosted microwave attenuation

Optimizing the electromagnetic (EM) properties of composites through elaborate tailoring of their microstructures has become an attractive research branch, but determining the correlations between morphology, composition, and performance remains challenging. Herein, a novel progressive hollow engineering strategy is proposed for the construction of hollow CuFe Prussian blue analog (CuFePBA, CF) precursors with asymptotic variations of cavities and PBA units based on a synergistic etching-assembly approach, subsequently combined with a polydopamine (PDA) coating and carbothermal process to acquire raspberry-like hollow Cu/Fe/Fe3C@NC (CFC) composites. The proposed approach addresses the drawbacks caused by organic ligand depletion or corrosive agent usage. We then present a systematic investigation of the mechanism by which the progressive hollow engineering-induced concurrent evolution of hollow cavities, phases, defects, and inhomogeneous interfaces contributes to the improvement of the dielectric properties of the CFC samples. An optimal reflection loss (RLmin) of − 65.17 dB at 3.29 mm was realized for the CFC-2 sample and the CFC-3 sample achieved an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.4 GHz at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.29 mm. This work reveals the synergistic effects of compositional, interfacial, and defect variations on the EM wave attenuation properties of the composites, and will provide new design inspiration for novel absorbers with modulatable hollow architectures.

Microscopic characterizations for 2D material-based advanced electronics

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have gained significant attention as potential candidates for next-generation electronics, owing to their unique properties such as ultrathin layer thickness, mechanical flexibility, and tunable bandgaps. The distinctive characteristics of 2D materials necessitate the development of nanoscale advanced characterization methods. In this review, we explore the role of microscopy techniques in developing 2D materials-based electronics, from material synthesis and characterization to device performance and reliability. We address the applications of microscopies by delving into the perspectives of channel materials, metal contacts, dielectric materials, and device architectures. Additionally, we provide an outlook on the future directions and potential utilization of microscopy techniques in future 2D semiconductor industry.

Multidimensional construction of 1T-MoS2@graphene nanosheets nanocomposites for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption

The preparation of electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials provided with the characteristics of thin matching thickness, broad bandwidth, and mighty absorption intensity is an efficient solution to current EM pollution. Herein, Graphene nanosheets (GN) were firstly fabricated via a facile high-energy ball milling method, subsequently high-purity 1T-MoS2 petals were uniformly anchored on the surface of GN to prepare 1T-MoS2@GN nanocomposites. Plentiful multiple reflection and scattering of EM waves in a distinctive multidimensional structure formed by GN and 1T-MoS2, copious polarization loss consisting of interfacial polarization loss and dipolar polarization loss severally derived from multitudinous heterointerfaces and profuse electric dipoles in 1T-MoS2@GN, and mighty conduction loss originated from plentiful induced current in 1T-MoS2@GN generated via the migration of massive electrons, all of which endowed 1T-MoS2@GN nanocomposites with exceptional EM wave absorption performances. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of 1T-MoS2@GN reached –50.14 dB at a thickness of only 2.10 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) was up to 6.72 GHz at an ultra-thin matching thickness of 1.84 mm. Moreover, the radar scattering cross section (RCS) reduction value of 36.18 dB m2 at 0° could be achieved as well, which ulteriorly validated the tremendous potential of 1T-MoS2@GN nanocomposites in practical applications.

In-situ assembly of polypyrrole onto heterocyclic aramid for high-strength, ultratough, durable, and multifunctional films

High-strength, ultratough, multifunctional polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding nanocomposite films have colossal application potential in artificial intelligence, 5G communications, and flexible electronics. In this work, a large-scale, high-strength, and ultratough heterocyclic aramid@polypyrrole (HA@PPy) composite film is developed via the in-situ loading of PPy onto the HA template. The synthesized films achieve remarkable mechanical properties and high electronic conductivity by using the template effect of HA to guide the assembly of conductive polymers. When the content of PPy is 45 wt%, the HA@PPy (HP45) film possesses excellent tensile strength (240.3 MPa), significant elongation at break (25.9 %), outstanding toughness (53.1 MJ m−3), and exceptional folding durability owing to strong hydrogen bond interaction between PPy and HA. Furthermore, thanks to the highly connected conductive paths formed by PPy, the HP45 film exhibits satisfactory EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 45.5 dB and specific EMI SE of 14691.6 dB cm2 g−1 at an ultra-thin thickness (26.3 μm). The HP45 film also demonstrates excellent electromagnetic protection, electro-/photothermal deicing, thermal therapy, and flame retardancy applications. Therefore, high-performance and multifunctional HA@PPy films have substantial potential for widespread application in EMI shielding and thermal management.