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 textiles exhibited excellent EMI efficiency of 74.2 dB with a thickness of 0.45 mm, Joule heating performance within a low working voltage (V) range of 1–3 V, and fast response time within 20 s. These properties arose from multiple reflections, interfacial polarization, and high conductivity due to the numerous amounts of nanoscale G/SiC heterostructures. More importantly, G/SiC/carbon fibers (CFs) demonstrated well high-temperature resistance with a heat resistance index (THRI) of 380.2 ℃ owing to the protection of a coating layer on the CFs upon oxidation. Meanwhile, the G/SiC/CFs presented good pressure-sensing performance with high sensitivity (S) of 52.93 kPa−1, fast response time of 85 ms, and a wide pressure range of up to 186 kPa. These features imply the potential of the G/SiC/CFs as efficient EMI shielding, electrical heater, and piezoresistive sensor textiles.