Collaborative Optimization of Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Adaptive Multi-Color, and Thermal Camouflage of Basalt Fibers by Temperature-Induced Gradient Structure Control

Abstract

Basalt fiber fabric (BFF) has gained extensive application in industrial, military, and aerospace fields due to its lightweight nature, chemical inertness, and mechanical durability. However, the inherent surface inertness and electrical insulation of BFs restrict their utilization in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. In this work, we propose an innovative gradient functionalization strategy based on “plasma activation-ALD bridging-chemical plating-post annealing treatments” to fabricate polychromatic BFs with exceptional EMI and thermal shielding performance. Plasma pretreatment synergizes with ALD TiO₂ to enrich hydroxyl groups, serving as atomic-scale “bridges” for anchoring dense Ni coatings. This process establishes interconnected conductive networks to reflect EM waves, while post annealing induces interfacial reconstruction, enhancing EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) through synergistic magnetic loss and interfacial polarization mechanisms. The optimized BFF demonstrates an outstanding EMI SE of 53.47 dB and maintains stable performance under high-temperature and cryogenic conditions. Additionally, vivid and uniform structural colors derived from thin-film interference were achieved on the fiber surface by modulating annealing temperatures. Notably, the high refractive index characteristics of TiO₂, Ni, and NiO layers, coupled with their multiple refractive synergistic effects, lead to pronounced interfacial reflection of infrared radiation, which effectively reduces the radiation flux penetrating BFFs and significantly enhances overall shielding performance, underscoring their potential in thermal camouflage applications. This study establishes a groundbreaking strategy for designing multi-color BFFs with EM and thermal shielding capabilities, and provides novel insights for developing multifunctional shielding materials while expanding BFF's application horizons in chromatic engineering and radiation protection domains.

Keywords

adaptive multicolor / annealing / basalt fiber / electromagnetic interference shielding / nickel/nickel oxide / thermal camouflage

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