Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon-based materials prepared by screen printing

Screen printing, as a simple and efficient method, is used to fabricate a carbon-based film for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. The results show that carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets are more effective in providing EMI shielding compared to graphite and carbon black sheets in abroad-band frequency range due to better electron transmission. A thin printed 150 μm 15 wt% CNT film exhibits similar shielding performance to a thicker 1.5 mm 15 wt% CNT epoxy composites, illustrating that screen printing could be a promising approach to fabricate thin EMI shielding films for commercial applications.     

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.     

EMI shielding effectiveness of carbon based nanostructured polymeric materials: A comparative study

The microstructure, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE), DC electrical conductivity, AC electrical conductivity and complex permittivity of nanostructured polymeric materials filled with three different carbon nanofillers of different structures and intrinsic electrical properties were investigated. The nanofillers were multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), carbon nanofibers (CNF) and high structure carbon black (HS-CB) nanoparticles and the polymer was acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). In addition, the EMI SE mechanisms and the relation between the AC electrical conductivity in the X-band frequency range and the DC electrical conductivity were studied. The nanocomposites were fabricated by solution mixing and characterized by uniform dispersion of the nanofillers within the polymer matrix. It was found that, at the same nanofiller loading, the EMI SE, permittivity and electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites decreased in the following order: MWCNT > CNF > CB. MWCNT based nanocomposites exhibited the lowest electrical percolation threshold and the highest EMI SE owning to the higher aspect ratio and electrical conductivity of MWCNT compared to CNF and HS-CB. The AC conductivity in the X-band frequency range was found to be independent of frequency.     

ASA/graphite/carbon black composites with improved EMI SE,conductivity and heat resistance properties

Composites, comprised of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate copolymer (ASA)/graphite (GR) with high electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), were fabricated by the introduction of carbon black (CB). The effects of CB on properties such as EMI SE, morphology, heat resistance, rheological and mechanical performance of the composites were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), rotational rheometer, electromagnetic shielding measuring instruments. The graphite and carbon black exhibited positive synergistic action, which promoted the complete formation of conductive networks in ASA matrix. The EMI SE and electrical conductivity of the ASA/GR/CB composites increased with higher CB loadings. In the frequency range of 30–3000 MHz, the maximum EMI SE of ASA composites with 50 % fillers reached 40 dB, but with 40 % fillers this property reached its maximum value of 50 dB. The flexural strength of ASA/GR/CB composites started to decline as CB loading exceeded 5 %. The heat resistance of the composites was improved due to the addition of CB. In this respect, the vicar softening temperature (VST) of the composites with 40 % fillers increased from 115.1 to 132.7 °C, and the VST of the composites with 50 % fillers was elevated from 125.4 to 138.9 °C.     

Investigation of the electric conductivity and the electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of SWCNTs/GNS/PAni nanocomposites

This work demonstrates the fabrications and characterizations of polyaniline (PAni) composites containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), graphite nanosheets (GNS), or hybrid fillers (SWCNTs/GNS). The characterization of microstructure, examination of fracture surface morphologies, and measurement of electric conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) were performed. It was found that both the electric conductivity and the EMI SE increase with filler loading, and the nanocomposites filled with 1.0 wt.% SWCNTs/GNS possessed the highest electric conductivity of 16.2 S/cm and total EMI SE of 27.0 dB. The experimental results also show that absorption is the primary mechanism of EMI SE for all of the loadings and fillers.     

Electrical,rheological and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites

Electrically conducting rubbery composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared through melt blending using a torque rheometer equipped with a mixing chamber. The electrical conductivity, morphology, rheological properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the TPU/CNT composites were evaluated and also compared with those of carbon black (CB)‐filled TPU composites prepared under the same processing conditions. For both polymer systems, the insulator–conductor transition was very sharp and the electrical percolation threshold at room temperature was at CNT and CB contents of about 1.0 and 1.7 wt%, respectively. The EMI SE over the X‐band frequency range (8–12 GHz) for TPU/CNT and TPU/CB composites was investigated as a function of filler content. EMI SE and electrical conductivity increased with increasing amount of conductive filler, due to the formation of conductive pathways in the TPU matrix. TPU/CNT composites displayed higher electrical conductivity and EMI SE than TPU/CB composites with similar conductive filler content. EMI SE values found for TPU/CNT and TPU/CB composites containing 10 and 15 wt% conductive fillers, respectively, were in the range ?22 to ?20 dB, indicating that these composites are promising candidates for shielding applications. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

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.     

Electromagnetic interference shielding behavior of chemically and thermally reduced graphene based multifunctional polyurethane nanocomposites: A comparative study

This article presents the effect of exfoliation, dispersion, and electrical conductivity of graphene sheets onto the electrical, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and gas barrier properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based nanocomposite films. The chemically reduced graphene (CRG) and thermally reduced/annealed graphene (TRG) having Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface areas of 18.2 and 159.6 m²/g, respectively, when solution blended with TPU matrix using N,N-dimethylformamide as a solvent. Graphene sheets based TPU nanocomposites have been evaluated and compared for EMI shielding in Ku band, electrical conductivity, and gas barrier property. TRG/TPU nanocomposite films showed excellent gas barrier against N₂ gas as compared to CRG/TPU. The EMI shielding effectiveness for neat CRG and TRG graphene sheets is found to be −80, −45 dB, respectively, at 2 mm thickness. The EMI shielding data revealed that TRG/TPU nanocomposites showed better shielding at lower concentration (10 wt %), while CRG displayed better attenuation at higher concentrations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47666.     

Surfactant-free assembling of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers

The electrical and textural properties of single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers were tunned through chemical functionalization processes. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were covalently functionalized with three different chemical groups: Carboxylic acids (-COOH), benzylamine (-Ph-CH₂-NH₂), and perfluorooctylaniline (-Ph-(CF₂)₇-CF₃). Functionalized SWCNTs were dispersed in water or dimethylformamide (DMF) by sonication treatments without the addition of surfactants or polymers. Carbon nanotube sheets (buckypapers) were prepared by vacuum filtration of the functionalized SWCNT dispersions. The electrical conductivity, textural properties, and processability of the functionalized buckypapers were studied in terms of SWCNT purity, functionalization, and assembling conditions. Carboxylated buckypapers demonstrated very low specific surface areas (< 1 m²/g) and roughness factor (R_a = 14 nm), while aminated and fluorinated buckypapers exhibited roughness factors of around 70 nm and specific surface areas of 160-180 m²/g. Electrical conductivity for carboxylated buckypapers was higher than for as-grown SWCNTs, but for aminated and fluorinated SWCNTs it was lower than for as-grown SWCNTs. This could be interpreted as a chemical inhibition of metallic SWCNTs due to the specificity of the diazonium salts reaction used to prepare the aminated and fluorinated SWCNTs. The utilization of high purity as-grown SWCNTs positively influenced the mechanical characteristics and the electrical conductivity of functionalized buckypapers.     

Comparative study of electromagnetic interference shielding properties of injection molded versus compression molded multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene composites

This study compares electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of injection molded versus compression molded multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene (MWCNT/PS) composites, i.e., properties such as EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), electrical conductivity, real permittivity and imaginary permittivity. The injection molded (MWCNT-aligned) samples showed lower EMI shielding properties than compression molded (randomly distributed MWCNT) samples that was attributed to lower probability of MWCNTs contacting each other due to MWCNT alignment. The compression molded samples showed higher electrical conductivity and lower electrical percolation threshold than the injection molded samples. The compression molded samples at MWCNT concentrations of 5.00 and 20.0 wt.% showed real permittivity two times and imaginary permittivity five times greater than the injection molded samples. The EMI SE for the compression molded samples at MWCNT concentrations of 5.00 and 20.0 wt.% was 15.0 and 30.0 dB, respectively, significantly greater than EMI SE for the injection molded samples. Lower EMI SE for the injection molded samples was ascribed to lower electrical conductivity, real permittivity (polarization loss) and imaginary permittivity (Ohmic loss). Comparison of the EMI shielding properties of the compression molded versus injection molded samples confirmed that EMI shielding does not require filler connectivity; however it increases with filler connectivity.     

Highly conductive and flexible bilayered MXene/cellulose paper sheet for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding applications

In this work, a robust and flexible bilayered MXene/cellulose paper sheet with superhigh electrical conductivity was prepared via vacuum-assisted filtration and a subsequent hot-pressing process for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. By tightly assembling few-layered MXene (f-Ti₃C₂T_x) on the cellulose substrate via hydrogen bonds, an effective and interconnected conductive network was constructed in the paper sheet, resulting in a high electrical conductivity of 774.6–5935.4 S m^?1 at various f-Ti₃C₂T_x loadings. The highly conductive MXene layer can promptly reflect a great amount of incident EM waves, a process which preceded the transmission of EM waves in the cellulose matrix. Owing to the highly efficient reflection-dominated EMI shielding mechanism, the resultant bilayered MXene/cellulose paper sheets exhibit excellent EMI shielding effectiveness of 34.9–60.1 dB and specific EMI shielding efficiency of 290.6–600.7 dB mm^?1. Moreover, the MXene/cellulose paper sheets demonstrated improved mechanical strength (up to 25.7 MPa) and flexibility due to the mechanical frame effect acted by the cellulose substrate. Consequently, the robust and flexible bilayered MXene/cellulose paper sheet is a promising candidate for application in next-generation electric devices.     

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Foams Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Carbon Nanotubes Composite

Polymeric electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding foaming materials are found and applied in many frontier fields such as aerospace, transportation, and portable electronics. In this paper, a foam based on a composite system of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is prepared for EMI shielding properties by using a solid-state supercritical CO₂ foaming strategy. PVDF is chosen as the matrix because of its excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, and flame retardancy. The inclusion of CNTs renders this composite system enhanced complex viscosity and storage modulus by about two orders of magnitude. The electrical conductivity and EMI specific shielding effectiveness of obtained foams can be adjusted and reached the optimum value of 0.024 S m⁻¹ and 29.1 dB cm³ g⁻¹, respectively, originating from the gradual development of interconnected CNTs and conductive CNTs network as well as the introduction of cell structure in PVDF matrix. Interestingly, the reorientation of CNTs caused by foaming process results in electrical conductivity percolation threshold of PVDF/CNTs foams markedly decreases, in comparison to their unfoamed samples. This study provides a facile, efficient, green, and economic route for the preparation of EMI shielding foams consisted of fluorinated polymers and carbonaceous fillers.     

Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon black/sisal fiber/polyamide/polypropylene composites

The effects of hybrid fillers on the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of polyamide 6 (PA6)/polypropylene (PP) immiscible polymer blends were investigated. Carbon black (CB) and steam exploded sisal fiber (SF) were used as fillers. CB was coated on the surface of SF, and this was exploded by water steam to form carbon black modified sisal fiber (CBMSF). CB/SF/PA6/PP composites were prepared by melt compounding, and its electromagnetic SE was tested in low‐frequency and high‐frequency ranges. We observed that SF greatly contributed to the effective decrease in the percolation threshold of CB in the PA6/PP matrix and adsorbed carbon particles to form a conductive network. Furthermore, an appropriate CB/SF ratio was important for achieving the best shielding performance. The results indicate that CBMSF was suitable for use as electronic conductive fillers and the CB/SF/PA6/PP composites could be used for the purpose of EMI shielding. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42801.     

Thermoset composites functionalized with carbon nanofiber sheets for EMI shielding

Carbon nanofiber sheets were developed through filtering well‐dispersed carbon nanofiber (CNF) through filtering well‐dispersed aqueous solution of CNF particles with 0.4 μm hydrophilic polycarbonate membrane by the aid of high‐pressure air. They were used to functionalize composites by the resin transfer molding method. Their functionalized composites were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), four‐point probes and a vector network analyzer to measure their morphologies, electrical conductivity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance over the frequency range of 8–12 GHz (X band), respectively. Their morphologies show that CNF particles are overlapped and tightly connected with each other in their interconnected networks. The CNF sheets are exposed on the surface, although their networks are partially penetrated by polyester resins. Their electrical conductivity can be 3.0 ± 0.2 Scm^?1 or so, much higher by ten orders of magnitude than the reported electrical conductivity of CNF‐filled composites. Their EMI shielding effectiveness slightly varies in a range of ?30 dB to ?35 dB as a function of frequency, much higher than that of most CNF or carbon nanotube–filled composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41873.     

Comparative study of EMI shielding effectiveness for carbon fiber pultruded polypropylene/poly(lactic acid)/multiwall CNT composites prepared by injection molding versus screw extrusion

The electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of the composites of polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) (PP/PLA) (70/30, wt %) with single filler of multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) or hybrid fillers of nickel‐coated carbon fiber (CF) and CNT were investigated. For the single filler composite, higher electrical conductivity was observed when the PP‐g‐maleic anhydride was added as a compatibilizer between the PP and PLA. For the composite of the PP/PLA (70/30)/CF (20 phr)/CNT (5 phr), the composite prepared by injection molding observed a higher EMI shielding effectiveness of 50.5 dB than the composite prepared by screw extrusion (32.3 dB), demonstrating an EMI shielding effectiveness increase of 49.8%. The higher values in EMI shielding effectiveness and electrical conductivity of the PP/PLA/CF (20 phr)/CNT (5 phr) composite seemed mainly because of the increased CF length when the composites were prepared using injection molding machine, compared with the composites prepared by screw extrusion. This result suggests that the fiber length of the conductive filler is an important factor in obtaining higher values of electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness of the PP/PLA/CF/CNT composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45222.     

Recent advances in mechanism,influencing parameters,and dopants of electrospun EMI shielding composites: A review

The rapid development and popularization of smart and portable electronic devices have led to increasingly related electromagnetic pollution affecting human health and equipment safety. Thus, designing high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with lightweight, flexible, and easy preparation is urgent. The intrinsic physiochemical properties of electrospun micro/nanofibers provide an attractive potential to ease and accelerate the next-generation EMI shielding materials. Here, a detailed review of the electrospun EMI shielding materials is established. First, this article outlines the shielding mechanism of EMI shielding materials obtained via electrospinning. Then, the affecting factors of electrospinning process conditions on the resulting EMI shielding micro/nanofibers are discussed. Next, diverse fillers that contribute to the EMI shielding efficiency of electrospun materials are demonstrated. Finally, the conclusion and prospects are introduced, hopefully contributing to assisting with more comprehensive and rational designs of high-performance electrospun fiber-based EMI shielding for various applications. Priority measures and future directions are suggested for the future development of electrospun EMI shielding materials.     

Moderate anisotropy in the electrical conductivity of bulk MWCNT/epoxy composites

Bulk aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube films and their epoxy composites were prepared and their DC and AC conductivity studied. Nanotube films of up to 2 mm thickness were grown by catalytic chemical vapor deposition. Composites of nanotubes were made by infiltrating the films with a commercial epoxy. DC electrical resistivities in the axial direction of as-grown and purified films were found to be ∼1.2 Ωmm and ∼3.4 Ωmm, respectively. For the transverse direction the resistivity values were higher only with a factor of ∼2. In the case of composites, anisotropy is more pronounced showing more than an order of magnitude higher resistivity in the transverse direction (∼71.4 Ωmm) as compared to the axial value (∼4.2 Ωmm). AC behavior of the films investigated between 1 MHz and 3 GHz shows the presence of inductive and capacitive components at frequencies above ∼100 MHz. The moderate anisotropy for both DC and AC electrical properties are explained on the basis of the films’ structure combined with percolation theory and equivalent circuit models.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of carbon‐black‐filled,electrospun nanocomposite fiber webs

The development of flexible and compliant conductive polymer composites with textile‐like characteristics remains an important endeavor in light of the recent activity in polymer/textile‐based electronics and the need for compliant electrodes for electroactive polymer actuators. In this work, carbon black (CB) was dispersed in a polymer solution to form electrospun fiber webs consisting mainly of nanofibers. The effect of the filler content on the fiber‐web morphology, mechanical behavior, electrical conductivity, and thermal resistance was examined. The electrical conductivity percolation threshold of the fiber‐web structure was found to be around 4.6 vol %. Scanning electron micrographs of the fiber webs revealed a significant influence of the CB content on the fiber formation as well as the bond structure of the fiber web, which influenced the mechanical properties of the web. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2410–2417, 2007     

Effect of MnO2 additive on the dielectric and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of sintered cement-based ceramics

Cement-based ceramic pellets were prepared and their properties were studied for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. The shielding materials were made of Portland cement with the addition of different concentrations of manganese oxide (MnO₂) up to 10 wt%. The pellets were sintered at 850 °C for 5 h and then polished prior to characterizations of density, porosity, microstructures, dielectric properties, and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). Results show that the MnO₂-cement pellets have good dielectric properties, i.e. high dielectric constant (∼300) and low dielectric loss (<0.3). The dielectric constant increased with increasing MnO₂ content in the cement matrix. The SE values of the MnO₂-cements fluctuated between 2 dB and 9 dB in the frequency range of 8-13 GHz. The sample with 10 wt% MnO₂ additive had SE values of up to 9 dB. Most of the samples with high additive concentrations produced SE exceeding 7 dB.