Design of interconnected 1D nanomaterials with selective localization in biodegradable binary thermoplastic nanocomposite films for effective electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness

Abstract

AbstractFlexible and electrically conductive polymer nanocomposite materials are gaining popularity as EMI shield materials. Herein, we report the successful fabrication of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/polybutylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate (PBAT)/dodecyl amine modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)‐based biodegradable polymer nanocomposite films employing solvent mixing and casting technique. The FESEM analysis of the cryofractured TPU/PBAT blend (containing 50 wt% of both the polymers) is found to be perfectly co‐continuous. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis followed by a selective dissolution test of polymer nanocomposites revealed that MAm nanofillers are mostly confined to the PBAT phase. The electrical percolation threshold is found to be between 3 and 5 wt% of dodecyl amine modified MWCNT loading as the electrical conductivity and EMI shielding efficiency are found to be shifting from 10−4 to 0.827 S/cm and −29.4 and −36 dB respectively as the nanofiller loading is increased from 3 to 5 wt% keeping the thickness of the polymer nanocomposite films constant at 0.8 mm.