J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2026, Vol. 253: 179-193.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.08.009

• Review article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Perspective of aramid-nanofiber-based electromagnetic interference shielding materials

Sen Jiaoa, Yadi Wanga, Wenrui Chea, Fei Panb, Zhuyin Suic, Xiaoyu Pangd, Qingdong Zhangd, Weiqi Caid,*, Na Wue,*, Zhihui Zenga,f,g,h,*   

  1. aKey Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China;
    bDepartment of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel CH 4058, Switzerland;
    cSchool of Chemistry & chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China;
    dAVIC Research Institute for Special Structures of Aeronautical Composites, Jinan 250023, China;
    eSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China;
    fShandong Key Laboratory of Metamaterial and Electromagnetic Manipulation Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China;
    gState Key Laboratory of Coatings for Advanced Equipment, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China;
    hShenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, China
  • Received:2025-08-03 Revised:2025-08-18 Accepted:2025-08-19 Published:2026-05-10 Online:2026-05-07
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: caiweiqi1205@163.com (W. Cai), na.wu@sdu.edu.cn (N. Wu),zhihui.zeng@sdu.edu.cn (Z. Zeng).

Abstract: With rapid advancements in communication technologies, high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials have gained significant attention in research. Aramid nanofibers (ANFs), recognized for exceptional mechanical strength, inherent flame retardancy, and tunable interfaces, offer a promising matrix for multifunctional EMI shielding composites. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in ANF-based EMI shielding materials. Fundamental properties of ANFs, including superior tensile strength, high aspect ratio, and thermal stability, are first elucidated for their suitability in shielding applications. EMI shielding mechanisms are subsequently detailed. Advances in ANF-based flexible films and paper-like architectures are reviewed for wearable/deformable applications. Furthermore, three-dimensional porous ANF aerogels and hydrogels, leveraging gradient porosity and complex energy dissipation pathways to achieve broadband high-efficiency shielding, are discussed. Current challenges and future directions are outlined, emphasizing scalable fabrication, enhanced environmental robustness, and multifunctional integration under coupled physical fields. These insights aim to accelerate ANF-based composites deployment in aerospace, flexible electronics, and next-generation communication systems.

Key words: ANFs, Diverse architectures, Multifunctional composites, EMI shielding