The growing dependence on electronic devices functioning within the microwave frequency range, coupled with the need for miniaturization, has resulted in increased instances of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in such devices. Besides altering device performance, the associated health hazards due to electromagnetic radiations have necessitated the urgency for developing efficient electromagnetic shielding materials. Here, highly magnetic FeCo nanoparticles, approximately 200 nm in diameter, have been used as magnetic filler materials in emeraldine base (PANI – EB) and emeraldine salt (PANI – ES) forms of polyaniline to understand the EMI shielding response in X-band frequency range (8.2–12.4 GHz). Composites using 10 % and 25 % FeCo by weight have been prepared using a physical mixing approach and uniform dispersion within the polymer matrix is ascertained using FE-SEM imaging and EDX elemental maps. Structural and magnetic properties of FeCo remain unaltered after the grind mixing process, as confirmed by XRD and VSM measurements. With the total shielding effectiveness remaining sufficiently low at 2–3 dB in FeCo/PANI – EB, significant enhancement to up to 40 dB is achieved in composites prepared in PANI – ES. Detailed investigations of electromagnetic parameters of the composites reveal the importance of the magnetic filler to achieve an absorption-dominated shielding of electromagnetic waves.
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