Mechanically strong and multifunctional nano-nickel aerogels based epoxy composites for ultra-high electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management

With the development of highly integrated electronic equipment, electromagnetic pollution and heat congregation have become serious problems. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with high thermal conductivity and mechanical properties are highly desirable. Herein, the reduced graphene oxide/Ni nanowire aerogels (GNiA) were firstly prepared via hydrothermal reducing process and freeze-drying. Subsequently, using epoxy (EP) as a polymer matrix, the GNiA/EP composites with high compression strength of 147 MPa were fabricated by vacuum filtration and curing. The GNiA endows the composites with great electromagnetic wave loss, as well as improved phonon propagation efficiency, resulting in the super high EMI SE. With the GNiA content of 12.14 wt%, the EMI SE and thermal conductivity of GNiA/EP composites can reach as high as 85 dB and 1.69 W/(m·K) respectively. The obtained GNiA/EP composites provide a strategy to meet the demand for electronic equipment for new-generation EMI shielding materials.