Durable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption based on MoS2 /RGO composites

Abstract Durable superhydrophobic fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were highly valuable in practical applications. In this work, durable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were successfully prepared by modifying the cotton fabrics with polydopamine (PDA) and then depositing MoS₂/RGO (MR) composites and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The surface morphology, crystal structure, and thermal degradation properties of the obtained products were estimated. The PDA modification enhanced the affinity and adsorption saturation between the fabrics and the MR composites. Here, the MR composites provided the fabrics with wave-absorbing components and rough micro/nanostructure, and the PDMS offered lower surface energy for the treated fabrics. Utimately, the water contact angle (WCA) of the obtained cotton fabrics could reach 157.2±0.4 ° and the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) was -45.3 dB at 11.1 GHz, which showed excellent superhydrophobicity and microwave absorption properties. In addition, the obtained cotton fabrics displayed excellent robustness against rubbing and bending and satisfactory chemical stability. This research showed promising prospects for the development of wearable materials with durable electromagnetic wave absorption.