Conductive polyurethane nanofiber membrane prepared through high-power impulse magnetron sputtering using brass alloy

Abstract

In this work, a copper-rich α-phase brass alloy was deposited on the surface of polyurethane nanofiber membranes with different densities using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering technology. The microstructural and electrical properties of the brass-coated membranes were investigated using a cold field emission scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer, atomic force microscope, a multipurpose thin-film X-ray diffractometer, and low impedance meter with a four-point probe. A network analyzer with a coaxial tube was used to analyze the resistance characteristics and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the samples. Results indicated that the brass alloy was evenly deposited on the surface and inner layers of the nanofiber membrane. Brass nodules were stacked on the surface of nanofibers and had a granular structure. The nanofibers of all membranes were neither damaged nor degraded after deposition. The brass-coated membrane provided a good conductive path on the surface. When the deposition time increased, the deposition of brass nodules on the membrane was more complete and uniform, which reduced the surface resistance and improved the electromagnetic shielding performance of the membrane.