Fabrication of Fe3O4/chitosan composite microcapsules-based fabric coating for solar thermal energy storage and electromagnetic shielding

Multifunctional textiles for thermal management and health protection are gaining attention, as traditional fabrics no longer meet modern demands for comfort, functionality, and safety. To tackle the challenge of achieving both efficient thermal regulation and electromagnetic shielding, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were first surface-modified to obtain a hydrophobic structure. These modified nanoparticles were then used to functionalize chitosan-based phase change microcapsules, which were subsequently combined with graphene and silicone resin to coat cotton fabrics. The resulting coated fabrics demonstrated integrated photothermal control, electromagnetic shielding, and self-cleaning capabilities. SEM analysis confirmed that Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were effectively embedded within the microcapsule shells. These microcapsules demonstrated a considerable ability for latent heat storage, effectively absorbing and utilizing visible and near-infrared solar energy. When the microcapsules were blended with graphene to coat the fabric surface, the functional fabric achieved a shielding effectiveness of 35 dB, indicating strong electromagnetic shielding performance. Furthermore, the coated fabric displayed remarkable superhydrophobic behavior, characterized by a contact angle of 152.3° and a rolling angle below 9°. When used outdoors, this functional coated fabric provides a self-cleaning effect, minimizing the impact of environmental pollutants on its photothermal conversion and electromagnetic shielding performances.