A simple and economic method to modify large organic surfaces for enhancing adhesion and transparent Au/PMMA with high electromagnetic shielding efficiency

Abstract

This study introduces a simple and cost-effective approach for modifying large organic surfaces, facilitating robust adhesion between Au films and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) while retaining transparency to visible light and effectively shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The proposed surface modification method employs a cheap low-power conventional UV lamp to illuminate organic surfaces in an open environment, rending it convenient and applicable for surfaces ranging from small to massive, irrespective of size, shape and location. By subjecting transparent PMMA glass to a brief 20–30 min exposure to a 36 W UV lamp positioned 5 cm away from the sample surface, the PMMA surface is dramatically modified and the surface is turned from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, establishing a strong adhesion between PMMA and Au films. The resulting Au/PMMA glass exhibits remarkable transparency about 70% within the visible light spectrum, coupled with an impressive EMI shielding efficiency that surpasses 20 dB across a broad range of electromagnetic wavebands, encompassing the S, C, X and Ku bands that correspond to the wave frequencies of major electromagnetic pollution and crucial applications of 5G communication, credit card validation, radar systems, traffic control, etc. Various characterizations have been conducted, elucidating the underlying mechanisms. This study presents an important advancement, and the accessible and scalable nature of the large-scalable surface modification method has far-reaching implications across numerous industrial sectors and applications, in addition to transparent EMI shielding Au/PMMA glasses.