Popcorn-inspired preparation of carbon aerogel with nano-walls for electromagnetic shielding and thermal insulation

• Published in: Ceramics international Vol. 50; no. 15; pp. 27470 - 27475
• Main Authors: Liang, Pengpeng, Wang, Gang, Wei, Xiahui, Fan, Bingbing, Li, Shipeng, Li, Hongxia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2024
• Subjects: Carbon aerogel; Electromagnetic shielding; Nano-walls; Thermal insulation; Nano-walls; Electromagnetic shielding; Carbon aerogel; Thermal insulation
• ISSN: 0272-8842
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.05.046

In this study, we devised a green and straightforward approach for fabricating carbon aerogels by heating dextrin, drawing inspiration from the popping mechanism of popcorn. The structure and morphology of the samples were intricately regulated through precise adjustments in the temperature and duration of the heat-treatment process, resulting in the formation of a carbon aerogel comprising nano-walls. Upon carbonisation at 2100 °C, the resultant carbon aerogel exhibited an exceptionally low density of approximately 0.029 g cm−3. Notably, the aerogel demonstrated excellent electromagnetic shielding performance, reaching a shielding effectiveness of approximately 57 dB and an impressive specific shielding effectiveness of 1965 dB cm3 g−1 with a thickness of 5 mm across the entire X band. Additionally, it displayed an ultra-low thermal conductivity of approximately 0.016 W m−1 K−1 and good thermal stability. These characteristics position carbon aerogels as promising materials with vast application potential in electromagnetic shielding and thermal insulation.