Preparation and properties of polyimide/Fe3O4 composite foams

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to develope the electromagnetic interference shielding materials with high performance. To develop advanced polymer-based electromagnetic interference shielding materials with rather high temperature stability, good processability and moderate mechanical properties, the authors chose the polyimide (PI) foam as matrix and ferriferrous oxide (Fe3O4) as fillers to prepare the composite foams with lightweight and rather good electromagnetic interference shielding performance. Design/methodology/approach Some polyimide nanocomposite foams with Fe3O4 as fillers have been prepared by in situ dispersion and foaming with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and isocyanate (PAPI) as raw materials and water as foaming agent. By varying the Fe3O4 contents, a series of PI/Fe3O4 nanocomposite foams with fine microstructures and high thermal stability were obtained. The structure and performances of nanocomposite foams were examined, and the effects of Fe3O4 on the microstructure and properties of composite foams were investigated. Findings This work demonstrates that PI/Fe3O4 foams could be fabricated by thermally treating the polyimide foam intermediates with Fe3O4 nanoparticles through a blending reaction of precursors. The final PI/Fe3O4 composite foams maintained the excellent thermal property and showed a super paramagnetic behaviour, which has a positive effect on the improvement of electromagnetic shielding performance. Research limitations/implications In this paper, the effects of Fe3O4 on the performances of PI/Fe3O4 composite foam were reported. It provided an effective methodology for the preparation of polymer/Fe3O4 nanocomposite foams, which hold great promise towards the potential application in the areas of electromagnetic shielding materials. Originality/value A series of PI/Fe3O4 composite foams with different contents of Fe3O4 were prepared by blending reaction of the precursors. The effects of Fe3O4 on the structures and properties of PI/Fe3O4 composite foam were discussed in detail.