A solution-processed Ag@ZnO core-shell nanowire network for stretchable transparent electromagnetic interference shielding application

Metal nanowire (NW) networks intrinsically have good optical transparency, electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility and thus are widely used as electrodes of flexible electronics and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. However, their poor stability severely restricts the service life of metal NW networks. This work reports that ZnO can be selectively coated on a Ag NW network via a low-temperature electrodeposition process. The ZnO shell layer with thickness optimized by adjusting the electrodeposition time and current can improve the conductivity, stability and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of the Ag NW network without compromising flexibility and transmittance. This enhancement in EMI SE by absorption is attributed to the electron diffusion and emission processes that occurred at the Ag/ZnO interfaces. This work fills a gap in low-temperature solution-processed fabrication of metal@oxide core-shell NW network materials and extends our understanding of its electromagnetic wave absorption mechanism. We develop a method to prepare Ag@ZnO core-shell heterojunction nanowire networks with high EMI shielding effectiveness due to enhancement in microwave absorption via microwave-assisted interface charge transport processes.