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Highlights: Detailed summary of current trends in the advancement of flexible EMI shielding materials. The theoretical shielding mechanisms and the latest concept of "green shielding" index (gs) are outlined. Functional applications of flexible EMI shielding materials are introduced from thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity to transparency, sensing even multiple functions. Exclusive insights in challenges and future design strategies opportunities for flexible EMI shielding materials are provided. With rapid development of 5G communication technologies, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for electronic devices has become an urgent demand in recent years, where the development of corresponding EMI shielding materials against detrimental electromagnetic radiation plays an essential role. Meanwhile, the EMI shielding materials with high flexibility and functional integrity are highly demanded for emerging shielding applications. Hitherto, a variety of flexible EMI shielding materials with lightweight and multifunctionalities have been developed. In this review, we not only introduce the recent development of flexible EMI shielding materials, but also elaborate the EMI shielding mechanisms and the index for "green EMI shielding" performance. In addition, the construction strategies for sophisticated multifunctionalities of flexible shielding materials are summarized. Finally, we propose several possible research directions for flexible EMI shielding materials in near future, which could be inspirational to the fast-growing next-generation flexible electronic devices with reliable and multipurpose protections as offered by EMI shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of high-value carbon fibers from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is essential for ensuring a sustainable future. In this work, a simple and eco-friendly approach was presented for the chemical recycling of anhydride-cured epoxy-based CFRP composites with a mixed solution of monoethanolamine (MEA) and potassium hydroxide (KOH). In this solvent catalyst system, the resin matrix was decomposed by cleaving the ester bonds. Thus, a high CFRP composite decomposition ratio of 99% was achieved at ∼160 °C within 60 min under ambient pressure. The recovered carbon fibers (CFs) had a clean surface and retained more than 95% of their original stiffness and strength. Moreover, one of the highlights of this process was that the excess MEA solvent and degraded epoxy resin (DER) were recovered from the degraded organic products (DOP) by simple distillation. The DER was reused in combination with the original epoxy resin system to prepare new resin material with good mechanical properties, forming a closed-loop chemical recycling route. The advantages of this method include facile reaction conditions, near-complete recovery of CFs and solvent, and the absence of harmful solid waste, demonstrating that this recycling process has a high degree of environmental friendliness. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The free-standing, monolithic and anisotropic graphite networks were constructed by a two-stage, economy, facile expansion process. • The sensitivity of the sensors/switches can be accurately tailored. • The wireless monitoring of human movement was realized by integrating the sensors/switches with microelectronic components. Highly sensitive strain sensors and switches are essential components to wearable electronics in many emerging applications such as personal health monitoring, human–machine interaction, smart robots and intelligent control system. Herein, we report a new highly-anisotropic graphite framework (HAGF) for creating strain sensors and switches with high flexibility, stretchability and sensitivity. The highly anisotropic three-dimensional (3D) graphite structure was fabricated via a facile, low-cost and scalable expansion of commercially-available graphite papers. By controlling the orientation structure and thickness of HAGF, the contact area and switchable conduction path can be tailored to create strain sensors and switches based on HAGF/PDMS composites to achieve a tunable gauge factor between 1.3 and 379, an ultra-high ON/OFF ratio in the order of 1035 with tunable critical switching strain (8 % ∼ 50 %), an excellent long-term repeatability of over 1000 cycles at a peak strain of 50 %, and a stretchability up to 100 %. The potentials of the new sensors and switches are demonstrated by pairing them with the smartphone for tracking and recognition of human motions, offering a new solution to a wide range of portable devices and mobile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]