A flexible sandwich graphene/silver nanowires/graphene thin film for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding

Abstract

We report the preparation and characterization of flexible graphene/silver nanowires (AgNWs)/graphene sandwich thin films for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding. AgNWs were sandwiched between reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films through a simple filtration process followed by reduction with hydriodic acid. The rGO/AgNWs/rGO thin films exhibited not only an excellent electrical conductivity of 64 500 S m⁻¹ but also a larger EMI shielding value of ∼38 dB at 35 wt% AgNW content. This enhancement in electrical conductivity and EMI shielding is mainly attributed to the tight adhesion of the top and bottom graphene layers with the middle AgNW layer. In the sandwich hybrid films, the graphene layers not only provide extra pathways for electron transfer, but also block the contact between the AgNWs and oxygen, leading to a better resistance to oxidation, good electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical flexibility.