Innovations in polymer nanocomposite coatings for EMI Shielding applications

Abstract

Start Excessive usage of electronic gadgets, telecommunication devices and electrical appliances has led to unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) as side effect. The EMI pollution interferes with the performance and functioning of the electrical equipments, which is generated through the conduction or radiation of emitted electromagnetic (EM) waves. In addition to affecting the quality of electrical appliances, EMI has a huge negative impact on the health and life of living organisms. Moreover, microwave frequency operated functions such as radar surveillance systems; weather radar, military aviation, radar guns, wireless technology and satellite communication are more prone to EMI pollution and specifically with regard to stealth purposes. In this paper carbon nanomaterial based polyurethane nanocomposites have been synthesized and investigated for decreasing the EM wave pollution due to their light weight, flexibility, optimum conductivity and good dielectric properties. Three different types of graphene sheets such as thermally reduced and exfoliated graphene (TRG); chemically reduced graphene (CRG) and Polyvinyl-pyyrolidone stabilized silver nanoparticles based graphene nanohybrid (Ag-PVP-CRG) have been synthesized and characterized for EMI shielding properties. Further, TRG, CRG and Ag-PVP- CRG sheets have been dispersed in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymeric matrix to create multifunctional nanocomposite films with properties such as EMI shielding, electrically conductivity and dielectric behavior. The study presents for the first time a comparative evaluation of three different types of graphene sheets in both neat and nanocomposite form. The synthesis of Ag-PVP-CRG nanohybrids and its application for EMI shielding is novel and reported for the first time for such an application.