RGO reinforced Cu foam with enhanced mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties

Abstract

With a unique cellular structure to enhance the multi-reflection and multi-absorption properties of electromagnetic waves, metal foam is considered a new type of electromagnetic shielding material that can also be used for lightweight structural applications such as energy absorption and shock attenuation. This work introduces reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to reinforce Cu foam for the purpose of improvement of the foam's mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties. After the preparation stage of the electrodeposition and heat treatments, the RGO was observed to uniformly disperse in the Cu foam matrix and nano-sized Cu2O particles formed at the interface. This resulted in improved mechanical properties and electromagnetic shielding performance compared to the pure Cu foams. The primary shielding mechanism was deduced as absorption loss.