Effect of filler loading on the shielding of electromagnetic interference of reduced graphene oxide reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites prepared via a twin-screw extruder

Abstract

Thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) with different loadings (0.5, 1, 3 & 5 wt%) of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were prepared to design a nanocomposite to shield the electromagnetic interference (EMI) using melt processing technique via a twin-screw extruder. The nanocomposites were characterized by dc conductivity, mechanical, fractography, and electromagnetic shielding applications. Incorporation of RGO significantly affects the mechanical strength of nanocomposites, which helps to rise in the tensile (4.7%) and flexural strength (4%) at maximum (5 wt%) RGO loading compared to pure PP. There has an improvement in the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites with an increase in the filler load. The RGO/PP nanocomposites exhibit the EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of − 10.2 dB with 2 mm of thickness at 5 wt% of RGO loading. The outcomes showed that the RGO/PP nanocomposites are able to block up to 90% of the EM wave and are a potential candidate for another kind of microwave absorbing material at large-scale manufacturing division.