Conductive Cellulose-Based Fibers for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption, Pressure Sensing, and Antibacterial Activity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Growing electromagnetic pollution necessitates advanced materials for shielding.
• Wearable textiles require multifunctional properties, including electromagnetic wave absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a multifunctional conductive cellulose-based composite fiber for electromagnetic wave absorption.
• To enhance the electrical conductivity and stability of cellulose fibers.
• To evaluate the electromagnetic wave absorption, antibacterial, and sensing capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite fibers using wet spinning and in situ polymerization.
• Coating regenerated cellulose fibers (RCF) with polypyrrole (PPy) and carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs).
• Testing electrical conductivity, abrasion resistance, washing durability, electromagnetic wave absorption, antibacterial activity, and pressure sensing.

Main Results:

• Achieved electrical conductivity of 127.12 S/m with stable performance.
• Demonstrated excellent electromagnetic wave absorption with minimum reflection loss of -43.46 dB and effective absorption bandwidth of 7.95 GHz.
• Exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, and high sensitivity pressure sensing (1.10 kPa⁻¹).

Conclusions:

• The developed composite fibers are multifunctional, offering superior electromagnetic wave absorption.
• The material exhibits excellent durability and potential for antibacterial applications.
• The composite fibers show promise for integrated sensing functionalities in wearable technology.