Morphological,mechanical, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness characteristics of glass fiber/epoxy resin/MWCNT buckypaper composites

Glass fiber/epoxy resin composites (GF/EP) using one and three multi-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers (BP) were obtained and their complex parameters, reflectivity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) at X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) and Ku-band (12.4–18 GHz) were evaluated. The preparation of BP used polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers (PF These composites show both large storage and energy loss capacity in both bands revealing promising results related to EMI SE applications. Besides, a high attenuation of around 67% and 72% were achieved for BP based composites. The cross-section view of the buckypaper and the laminates was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of the CNT film into the laminates showed no improvements in the elastic properties through dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA). Nevertheless, a decrease in the shear properties by the compression shear test (CST) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) has been observed. GF/EP/BP/PF composite presented a reduction of 29 and 39% in its ILSS properties compared to the base laminate (GF/EP). Also, the decrease was even more significant, revealing a steep reduction in its CST properties. On the other hand, the removal of the pan nanofiber (PF) led to better mechanical properties for GF/EP/BP/RPF composites. Results have shown ILSS values of 47.4 ± 2.2 MPa which are close to the base laminate (52.4 ± 3.1 MPa). The removal of the PF provided larger porous in the CNT network, making the impregnation by epoxy easier in the BP/RPF which resulted in improved shear properties compared to GF/EP/BP/PF samples.     

Morphology,mechanical properties and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene)/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: effects of maleic anhydride,carbon nanotube loading and processing method

Nanocomposites based on poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐ran‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (SEBS/CNT) as well as SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐MA)/CNT were successfully prepared for electromagnetic shielding applications. Both SEBS/CNT and SEBS‐MA/CNT nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding and were post‐processed using two different techniques: tape extrusion and compression moulding. The different nanocomposites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and rheological analysis. Their mechanical properties, electrical properties (10^-2–10⁵ Hz) and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (8.2–12.4 GHz) were also evaluated. The results showed that the CNT loading amount, the presence of MA in the matrix and the shaping technique used strongly influence the final morphologies and properties of the nanocomposites. Whilst the nanocomposite containing 8 wt% CNTs prepared by compression moulding presented the highest electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (with a value of 56.73 dB, which corresponds to an attenuation of 99.9996% of the incident radiation), the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% CNTs prepared by tape extrusion presented the best balance between electromagnetic and mechanical properties and was a good candidate to be used as an efficient flexible electromagnetic interference shielding material. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of the transparent layer thickness on the absorption capacity of epoxy/carbon nanotube buckypaper at X-band

Carbon nanotube films (BPs) as EMI shielding materials can be applied in electronic and communication devices due to their high electrical conductivity. Sandwich structures can offer excellent shielding effectiveness by introducing a wave-transmitting layer between conductive films. However, the optimization of the structure demands a deep investigation and plays a crucial role in the final shielding properties of the composites. In this work, BPs are incorporated into epoxy substrates with variable thicknesses (1–6 mm) to fabricate epoxy/BP sandwich structures. The morphology of the CNT films is analyzed by SEM, and the electrical conductivity of all prepared samples is measured by 4-point method. The electromagnetic tests are carried out in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) through the scattering parameters. SEM images reveal a porous structure without visible agglomeration. The electrical conductivity of the BP reaches up to 996 S/m, whereas the values for epoxy/BP composites varies in the range of 8.51–3.13 S/m (1 to 3 mm). BP total shielding efficiency (SE_T) is approximately 14 dB along the X-band spectrum, with similar contributions of reflection and absorption losses. While, the composites show mainly absorbing behavior, especially in the thicker samples, with more significant SE_T values (23.4 dB–6 mm).     

Hybrid composites of ABS with carbonaceous fillers for electromagnetic shielding applications

This work evaluates the influence of two types of carbonaceous fillers, carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), on the electrical, electromagnetic, and rheological properties of composites based on poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) (ABS) prepared by the melt mixing. Electrical conductivity, electromagnetic shielding efficiency (EMI SE) in the X‐band frequency range (8–12.4 GHz), and melt flow index (MFI) results showed that ABS/CNT composites exhibit higher electrical conductivity and EMI SE, but lower MFI when compared to ABS/CB composites. The electrical conductivity of the binary composites showed an increase of around 16 orders of magnitude, when compared to neat ABS, for both fillers. Binary composites with 5 and 15 wt % of filler showed an EMI SE of, respectively, ?44 and ?83 dB for ABS/CNT, and ?9 and ?34 dB for ABS/CB. MFI for binary composites with 5 wt % were 15.45 and 0.55 g/10 min for CB and CNT, respectively. Hybrid composites ABS/CNT.CB with 3 wt % total filler and fraction 50:50 and 75:25 showed good correlation between EMI SE and MFI. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46546.     

Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of FeSiAl and flaky graphite filled Al2O3 composites with different FeSiAl particle size

The increasing electromagnetic interference problems have drawn much attention to microwave absorbing materials. To satisfy the needs of practical application, FeSiAl and flaky graphite filled Al₂O₃ composites were sintered by hot-pressing for microwave absorption application. The effect of FeSiAl particle size on the electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties was investigated in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz). The results show that the dielectric properties enhance significantly with increasing FeSiAl particle size, which is attributed to the increased interfacial polarization and conductance loss. As a result of the favorable impedance matching and appropriate electromagnetic attenuation, the reflection loss (RL) of the composites filled with 25–48 μm flaky FeSiAl achieves -15.2 dB at 10.6 GHz and the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < -10 dB) is 1.2 GHz in 10.0–11.2 GHz with a matching thickness of 1.0 mm. It indicates that FeSiAl and flaky graphite filled Al₂O₃ composites are potential candidates for thin-thickness microwave absorbing materials, and the microwave absorption properties can be enhanced by adjusting absorbent particle size.     

Electromagnetic interference shielding of graphene/epoxy composites

Composites based on graphene-based sheets have been fabricated by incorporating solution-processable functionalized graphene into an epoxy matrix, and their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding studies were studied. The composites show a low percolation threshold of 0.52 vol.%. EMI shielding effectiveness was tested over a frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz (X-band), and 21 dB shielding efficiency was obtained for 15 wt% (8.8 vol.%) loading, indicating that they may be used as lightweight, effective EMI shielding materials.     

The influence of single-walled carbon nanotube structure on the electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of its epoxy composites

Three types of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) homogeneous epoxy composites with different SWCNT loadings (0.01-15%) have been evaluated for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X-band range (8.2-12.4 GHz). The effect of the SWCNT structure including both the SWCNT aspect ratio and wall integrity, on the EMI SE have been studied and are found to correlate well with the conductivity and percolation results for these composites. The composites show very low conductivity thresholds (e.g. 0.062%). A 20-30 dB EMI SE has been obtained in the X-band range for 15% SWCNT loading, indicating that the composites can be used as effective lightweight EMI shielding materials. Furthermore, their EMI performance to radio frequencies is found to correspond well with their permittivity data.     

Fabrication and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon nanotube reinforced carbon fiber/pyrolytic carbon composites

Carbon nanotube reinforced carbon fiber/pyrolytic carbon composites were fabricated by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis method and their electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) was investigated over the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were in situ formed through catalyzing hydrocarbon gases evaporating out of phenolic resin with nano-scaled Ni particles. The content of CNTs increased with the increase of Ni loadings (0.00, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.25 wt.%) in phenolic resin. Thermal gravimetrical analysis results showed that the carbon yield of phenolic resin increased with the addition of Ni catalyst. With the formation of CNTs, the EMI SE increased from 28.3 to 75.2 dB in X-band. The composite containing 5.0 wt.% CNTs showed an SE higher than 70 dB in the whole X-band.     

Dielectric and microwave properties of carbon nanotubes/carbon black filled natural rubber composites

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR) based nanocomposites containing a constant amount (50 phr) of standard furnace carbon black and carbon nanotube (CNT) at a concentration from 1 to 5 phr have been prepared. Their dielectric (dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss) and microwave properties (coefficients of absorption and reflection of the electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness) have been investigated in the 1–12 GHz frequency range. The results achieved allow recommending CNTs as second filler for NR based composites to afford specific absorbing properties.     

Attaining low percolation threshold in conductive polypropylene/nitrile rubber thermoplastic vulcanizates using carbon nanotube

Electrically conductive thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) based on polypropylene (PP)/nitrile rubber (NBR) blends loaded with multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization. CNT was incorporated into the system using two different mixing sequences: (i) one-step method, by adding CNT after the PP and NBR and (ii) two-steps method involving a previous PP/CNT master batch. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the morphology of the nanocomposites. Dynamic-mechanical analysis and rheological properties were also used for characterizing the TPV and TPE samples. Both mixing strategies favored the location of the CNT inside the PP phase. The one-step approach resulted in a percolation threshold as low as 0.19 vol% with conductivity value of 0.04 S m⁻¹ for the system loaded with only 0.50 vol% of CNT. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness and microwave absorbing properties were evaluated in the X-band frequency range. The TPV samples prepared by both methods displayed an overall electromagnetic attenuation of around 70%.     

Electromagnetic wave absorbing performance of multiphase (SiC/HfC/C)/SiO2 nanocomposites with an unique microstructure

Dielectric properties and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing performance of monolithic (SiC/HfC/C)/SiO₂ nanocomposites (denoted as SHCOs) have been investigated in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz). The multiphase SHCOs are composed of insulating SiO₂ and SiC/HfC/C nanocomposite fillers (SHC), which fillers composed of semiconducting β-SiC, conductive HfC-Carbon core-shell nanoparticles, and interconnected carbon nanoribbons. Dielectric response indicates that the increased SHC content results in an enhanced imaginary part of the permittivity and dielectric loss, leading to an improved EM absorbing performance. The unique microstructure with an EM wave-transparent SiO₂ matrix is favorable for impedance matching and effective EM wave propagation. The enhanced interface polarization and conduction loss are considered as the key mechanisms for EM wave attenuation. The minimum reflection loss of the SHCOs achieves – 60.7 dB containing 20 vol% of SHC (at 9.98 GHz) with the sample thickness of 3.33 mm, and the effective absorbing bandwidth (EAB) covers ca. 72 % of the X-band. The monolithic (SiC/HfC/C)/SiO₂ nanocomposites with outstanding EM wave absorbing performance are promising candidates for EM application at high temperatures.     

Ionic liquids as dispersing agents of graphene nanoplatelets in poly(methyl methacrylate) composites with microwave absorbing properties

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) is noncovalently functionalized with imidazolium-, pyridinium-, and vinyl-pyridinium-based ionic liquids containing bromide or bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide (TFSI) as the counteranions, and used to prepare poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites by solution casting approach followed by compression molding technique. The PMMA composites loaded with 1.9 and 1.8 wt% of GNP in PMMA/GNP composite and PMMA/GNP/ionic liquids, respectively, were characterized by melting viscosity, thermogravimetric analysis and AC electrical conductivity (σ_AC). The microwave absorption properties at the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) frequency were measured for systems with 1 mm thickness using the metal-backed configuration. PMMA nanocomposites loaded with GNP/N-dodecyl-4-vinyl-pyridinium.TFSI (C₁₂ViPy.TFSI) displayed higher thermal stability and higher σ_AC. This system also presented the best response in terms of microwave absorbing properties, with minimum reflection loss (RL) of around −6 dB at 8.7 GHz. Triple layered composite structures with layers of different conductivities and different stacking orders were also investigated in terms of reflection loss. Broadband absorption with minimum RL ≤ −10 dB (90% of electromagnetic attenuation) in the frequency between 10.2 and 12.4 GHz and better absorbing effectiveness were observed for the PMMA/GNP-PMMA/GNP/C₁₂ViPy.TFSI-PMMA/GNP/C₁₂ViPy.Br triple-layered system with 3 mm thickness.     

Development of Low Density,Heat Resistant and Broadband Microwave Absorbing Materials (MAMs) for Stealth Applications

The development of low density and broadband microwave absorbers are the need of the hour to cater for the needs of all military platforms for stealth technology. The low density and broadband properties can be inculcated in microwave absorbers using dielectric lossy materials (e.g. carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, fullerene, graphite, graphene and silicon carbide fibre). Therefore, we designed low density and heat resistant microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) using a novel approach of ceramic fibre board manufacturing technology. The microwave absorbing composites were prepared with varying percentage of milled carbon fibres, discontinuous aluminosilicate fibres and silicone resin as the matrix. The physico-mechanical properties of microwave absorbing composites were determined. Reflection loss of microwave absorbing composites was measured in the frequency range 2–18 GHz by unique single horn interferometry technique. The electromagnetic properties were measured in X-band using free space measurement system. Based on these properties the effect of thickness on the microwave absorbing properties in X-band was simulated The effect of weight % variation of milled carbon fibres on the microwave absorbing properties of composites have been studied in the frequency range 2–18 GHz.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotube/cement composites with exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding properties

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/portland cement(PC) composites have been fabricated to evaluate their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE). The results show that they can be used for the shielding of EMI in the microwave range. The incorporation of 15 wt.% MWCNTs in the PC matrix produces a SE more than 27 dB in X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz), and this SE is found to be dominated by absorption. Furthermore, the structural analysis, surface morphology and surface interaction of MWCNTs with PC matrix have been explored using XRD, SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique.     

Influence of graphite nanosheets on the structure and properties of PVC‐based nanocomposites

Polyvinyl chloride‐ (PVC)‐ based nanocomposites, containing graphite nanosheets (G), which may be used as electromagnetic wave absorbers was developed and investigated. The microstructure of polyvinyl chloride/graphite nanocomposites (PVC/G) were examined by means of X ‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). SEM image reveals that the graphite nanosheets were well dispersed in the PVC matrix without agglomeration. Thermal stability of the PVC/G nanocomposites is improved as a result of inclusion of graphite nanosheets. The PVC/G nanocomposites were characterized to investigate the effect of dispersion of graphite nanosheets in PVC matrix. The dielectric spectroscopy of PVC/G nanocomposites in frequency range from 1 to 12 GHz has been performed. The results show that PVC/G nanocomposites exhibit high dielectric constant at the measured frequencies. Coefficient of attenuation and coefficient of reflection of PVC/G composites have been also examined in a frequency range from 1 to 12 GHz. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI) depends on graphite volume fraction in the composite. The results show that the PVC/G represents a new class of conducting lightweight nanomaterial that can absorb electromagnetic waves at microwave frequency and may be promising for future commercial use. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Magnetic foams from polyurethane and magnetite applied as attenuators of electromagnetic radiation in X band

In this work, electromagnetic radiation absorbent materials (ERAM) were prepared from expanded polyurethane and nano-Fe3O4. The effect of porosity and charge content on the attenuation of incident radiation was investigated using helium gas pycnometry and the waveguide technique in the frequency range of 8 to 12 GHz (X-band). ERAM were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). Pure polyurethane absorbed 93.6% of the incident radiation at 11.8GHz. This result was attributed to its porous structure and low porosity. Although the content of open cells increases in ERAM with the increase in nanomagnetic content, materials containing 1% and 5% w/w absorbed more than 99% of the incident radiation. This behavior suggests that magnetic property of the charge is compensated for its action as a cell opener in these materials.     

多孔Al2O3/SiC、MoSi2/SiC复合材料的制备及吸波性能

以Si、Al₂O₃、MoSi₂微粉和生物竹材为原料,采用包埋烧结法分别制备出SiC多孔材料、Al₂O₃/SiC、MoSi₂/SiC复合材料。采用XRD、SEM及波导法测试其物相组成、显微结构及吸波性能。结果表明：MoSi₂/SiC复合材料的厚度为2 mm时有明显的吸波特性,有效吸收带宽在X波段的9.65~12.4 GHz频率范围内达2.75 GHz,且最低反射损耗为-38.27 dB。Al₂O₃/SiC复合材料孔道内的Al₂O₃与SiC晶须交缠,形成大量电偶极矩,产生介电损耗;MoSi₂/SiC复合材料除介电损耗外还存在电阻损耗,使得复合材料电磁损耗增加,是较有前途的结构功能吸波材料。     

Development of biobased microwave absorbing composites with various magnetic metals and carbons

The preparation and characterization of a biobased electromagnetic absorbing composites derived from natural lacquer as a renewable resource with microwave‐absorption fillers, including Ni–Zn ferrite and carbonyl iron (CI) as magnetic metals and soot and carbon nanotube (CNT) as carbon materials, were investigated in terms of the gel content, hardness, drying properties, and electromagnetic absorption properties. Interestingly, composites with ferrite and CI contained up to 320 and 550 wt %, respectively, of these compounds. This quite high loading capacity of the metal fillers in a natural‐lacquer base could have been due to the high compatibility between the filler and the natural lacquer; this indicated that the natural lacquer worked as a binder for these metals. The morphology of the biobased composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The electromagnetic absorption properties of composites were characterized in the frequency range from 0.05 and 20 GHz by the reflection loss (RL) measurement method in terms of the kind of fillers and filler loading. The natural lacquer did not affect the absorption properties of the fillers. Biobased composites showed over 99% electromagnetic absorption in the frequency range 3.0–4.0 GHz for 280 wt % ferrite and 8.9–9.7 GHz for 200 wt % CI. Conversely, 10 and 20 wt % soot exhibited good performance (RL < ?20 dB) between 16.5 and 17.3 and between 8.8 and 9.2 GHz, respectively. The areas with RL values of less than ?20 dB of the CNT composites were 10.4–11.0 GHz for 5 wt % and 14.6–15.2 GHz for 10 wt %. Hence, natural lacquer can be used as a binder material for electromagnetic absorption composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44131.     

轻薄炭黑涂层的制备及其微波吸收性能研究

利用混合强酸对炭黑(CB)进行氧化处理,并以有机硅树脂为基体制备了CB涂层。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、矢量网络分析(VNA)等方法对制备的4种不同填充量的涂层样品进行微观结构和电磁性能表征。微观结构分析表明：CB颗粒尺寸为纳米级,直径大小约为60 nm,氧化处理后的表面形态呈“褶皱”状;制备的CB涂层表面平整、厚度均匀,密度仅为1.1 g/cm3,兼具轻质柔性的特征。微波反射率测试结果显示,在8～18 GHz范围内,涂层样品均表现出了优异的微波吸收性能。当填充量为3.7%时,厚度仅为1.6 mm的涂层有效吸波频宽达到5.13 GHz,吸波强度为-26.5 dB;当填充量为2.3%时,厚度为1.9 mm的涂层有效吸波频宽达到最大值(5.44 GHz),覆盖整个Ku波段,厚度为2.5 mm的涂层有效吸波频宽为4.44 GHz,覆盖整个X波段。