Abstract
Aimed at improving the electromagnetic (EM) shielding and flame retardancy of cellulose materials, graphene (GE) nanoplates were introduced into cellulose matrix films by blending in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. The structure and performance of the obtained composite films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, EM shielding effectiveness (SE), and combustion tests. GE introduction formed and stacked laminated structures in the films after drying due to controlled shrinkage of the cellulose matrix. The lamination of GE nanoplates into the films was beneficial for providing EM shielding due to multiple internal reflection of EM radiation; furthermore, they also increased flame resistance based on the “labyrinth effect.” The SE of these composite films increased gradually with increased GE content and reached 22.3 dB under an incident frequency of 1500 MHz. TG analysis indicated that these composite films possessed improved thermal stability due to GE addition. Reduced flammability was confirmed by their extended times to ignition or inability to be ignited, reduced heat release rates observed in cone calorimetry tests, and increased limiting oxygen index values. These films with improved EM shielding and flame retardancy could be considered potential candidates for multipurpose materials in various applications, such as electronics and radar evasion.
Highlights
Biobased materials have become promising alternatives to synthetic polymers due to their nontoxic nature and renewability [1]
This study provided information regarding a natural cellulose matrix film with both excellent EM and thermal properties
The surfaces and cross-sectional micromorphologies of the cellulose and composite films were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Figure 2), and the results showed that F0 film possessed a smooth surface, but composite films F2 and F4 exhibited rough surfaces with wrinkles due to the embedded GE nanoplates
Summary
Biobased materials have become promising alternatives to synthetic polymers due to their nontoxic nature and renewability [1]. Many biobased materials, such as cellulose, chitin, and keratin, have been developed and widely used in textiles, packaging, biomedicines, smart devices [2,3,4], and so on. In contrast with synthetic polymers, natural cellulose cannot be heated, melted, or dissolved in common solvents; it has been used in primitive form for most situations until recent decades. Since the development of effective solvents, hydrogen (H-) bonds between cellulose chains can be destroyed and rearranged to form membranes, films, fibers, hydrogels, aerogels, and other materials [5,6,7,8,9].
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