CNTs@ZIF-67 Conductive Composite Nanoparticles Enhance the Electromagnetic Shielding Performance of Tough Organic Hydrogels

With the widespread use of electronic devices, electromagnetic radiation pollution has become increasingly severe, posing potential threats to human health and the ecological environment. This study successfully prepared a tough, adhesive, green, and multifunctional semi-interpenetrating network organic hydrogel using a three-step method, and enhanced its electromagnetic shielding performance by incorporating CNTs@ZIF-67 composite nanoparticles. An environmentally friendly semi-interpenetrating network organic hydrogel was constructed using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bio-based gelatin (Gel). Through an in-situ growth method, ZIF-67 was grown on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to prepare CNTs@ZIF-67 composite nanoparticles. Using a one-pot approach, these composite nanoparticles were dispersed in a precursor solution containing gelatin and polyvinyl alcohol, followed by cyclic freeze-thaw processing to fabricate a novel hydrogel material that combines high toughness with outstanding electromagnetic shielding performance. When incorporating 50 mg of CNTs@ZIF-67, the organic hydrogel achieves a conductivity of 0.512±0.026 S/m, a compressive modulus of 41.8±2.09 kPa, a compressive deformation rate of 66.33±3.01%, a moisture content of 88.99±0.89%, and a water absorption rate of 265.92±1.33%. The PGZC1 organic hydrogel with a thickness of 3 mm exhibits an average electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 33.32±1.67 dB within the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz), thus providing an innovative material solution for mitigating electromagnetic wave pollution.