Spray deposition of carbon-zinc oxide nanomaterials: A scalable approach for advanced electroshielding and flexible electronics

The advancement of nanomaterial-based coatings is crucial for the development of next-generation flexible electronics, smart coatings, and functional surfaces. One of the key challenges in this field is achieving uniform, large-area deposition of nanostructured materials while maintaining scalability and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we investigate the spray deposition method as a promising approach for fabricating Carbon-Zinc Oxide (CNHs, CHOs-ZnO) nanomaterials on flexible substrates. This technique enables precise control over film morphology, ensuring high-quality coatings with optimized electrical, optical, and shielding properties.

The tailor-made nozzle enhances the spray process by allowing better droplet size distribution, leading to improved film uniformity, enhanced conductivity, and stronger adhesion to flexible substrates. By fine-tuning the deposition parameters, we achieve coatings with controlled thickness, porosity, and surface roughness—factors that are critical for ensuring high-performance electroshielding.

To evaluate the potential applications of the synthesized CNHs, CHOs-ZnO nanomaterials, we conduct electroshielding performance tests. The results indicate that the spray-deposited films exhibit excellent EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding efficiency, along with mechanical flexibility and durability, making them highly suitable for use in wearable electronics, aerospace shielding, and advanced communication systems. Additionally, these coatings offer potential for energy storage devices, sensors, and smart textiles, where lightweight, conductive, and protective materials are required.

This study underscores the versatility and scalability of spray deposition as a fabrication method for functional nanomaterials. By integrating custom-engineered deposition techniques, we contribute to the advancement of next-generation coatings, paving the way for their implementation in diverse technological fields.

Keywords: Spray deposition, Carbon-Zinc Oxide, EMI shielding, nanomaterials, flexible electronics, scalable coatings, smart materials.

This research was partially financed by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization in Development of a program to attract highly specialized human resources from abroad in research, development, and innovation activities within the – PNRR-III-C9-2022 - I8 PNRR/2022/Component 9/investment, the project "National Platform for Semiconductor Technologies", contract no. G 2024-85828/390008/27.11.2024, SMIS code 304244, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Program for Intelligent Growth, Digitization, and Financial Instruments.

Dr. Cristina I. Pachiu received the Ph.D. Degree in Engineering Sciences from University of Le Havre France in 2007. Currently she is Senior Researcher at the National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies – IMT Bucharest, România. Her scientific research areas include Raman Spectroscopy (Raman Mapping; Confocal Raman Characterization) for carbon materials, oxide compounds, and more; Maskless printing of functional materials and electronic device prototypes.

Dr. Cristina Pachiu has a prestigious scientific activity valued through 65 articles, more than 100 contributions to national/international conferences and several national patents.