Functionalization of dielectric BaTiO3 and semiconducting ZnO nanoparticles on rGO layers and their polymer composites: Applications in EMI shielding

Abstract

Due to the continuous need for electronic devices across various industries, electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a significant problem in contemporary civilization. Materials with properties like lightweight, ease of processing, non-corrosiveness, design flexibility, and compatibility with existing technologies are in the spotlight to handle this problem. In this article, we have synthesized rGO-BaTiO3 by surface hydroxylation of dielectric BaTiO3 with graphene oxide (GO), and rGO-ZnO by in-situ reduction with GO and zinc nitrate. Phase purity, functional group analysis and morphological properties are studied by using PXRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and TEM. Polymer composites are prepared using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer with nanofillers rGO-BaTiO3 and rGO-ZnO with multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Total Shielding Effectiveness (SET) was measured by varying the weight ratio and thickness of the shield. The rGO-BaTiO3 composite with 10 wt% for 3 mm thickness shows a SET of 40.5 dB in X-band and maximum SET obtained is 59.8 dB at 11.8 GHz. In the case of rGO-ZnO composites shows 45.1 dB and maximum SET observed is 57.9 dB at 9.6 GHz. The data results obtained are envisaged to prove their potential in electronic appliances, electromagnetic countermeasures, and stealth materials.