Electromagnetic interference shielding and ohmic heating applications of carbonized nonwoven fabrics prepared from blended fibrous wastes

The present research work was aimed to develop activated carbon fabrics from blended acrylic and aramid fibrous wastes through design of needlepunched nonwoven fabrics and subsequent creation of heterogeneous porous structure and enlarged conductive network by novel carbonization method. The greater carbon yield, reduced dusting nature, and improved mechanical and electrical properties were observed in case of acrylic-rich carbonized fabrics. However, the Kevlar-rich carbonized fabrics depicted better flexibility and shrinkage properties. Later, the utility of carbonized nonwoven fabrics was examined for potential applications in electromagnetic interference shielding and joule heating. The acrylic rich carbonized fabrics exhibited greater electromagnetic interference shielding of >30 dB in both high as well as low frequency range. Moreover, the ohmic heating behaviour of acrylic-rich carbonized fabrics was observed superior to Kevlar-rich carbonized fabrics from results of faster heating as well as cooling performance along with better heating efficiency. This behaviour was attributed to increased micropores, more graphitic structure, greater crystallinity, and higher surface area of acrylic-rich carbonized fabrics than Kevlar-rich carbonized fabrics. [Display omitted] •Developed activated carbon nonwoven fabrics from acrylic and aramid fibre blends.•Acrylic-rich carbonized fabrics showed greater electrical properties.•Aramid-rich carbonized fabrics depicted better flexibility and shrinkage.•Superior EMI shielding and joule heating found in acrylic-rich carbonized fabrics.•Joule heating of Aramid-rich carbonized fabrics showed rapid heating and cooling.