Electromagnetic Shielding Research Articles

MXene: A new revolution in the world of 2-D materials

MXenes have imposed a profound effect on materials science and nanotechnology fields after their discovery in 2011. Theoretical models have predicted more than 100 potential compositions of MXene whereas laboratory-scale synthesis reflects their success of over 40 distinct structures till date. The distinctive properties of MXenes have led to their use for a diverse range of applications, such as energy storage, environmental remediation, electronics, communications, gas and liquid separation and adsorption, biomedical fields, and optoelectronics. The increased interest of researchers in MXenes has led to a wide rise in research publications, showing their growing importance in different scientific domains. In 2024, MXenes had shown wide potential in various areas, including energy storage devices, electromagnetic interference shielding, nanocomposites, and hybrid materials. However, the variations in the choice of precursors, reactor design, cost, synthesis parameters pose several challenges in ensuring the production of high-quality MXenes. The applicability of MXenes continues to broaden as its compositions are continuously accelerating. This review aims is to provide a comprehensive overview of MXene history, its properties, challenges, latest trends, and different applications to highlight its potential and gather new audiences towards this family of two-dimensional materials.

Comparative enhancement of H+ and OH− treatment on electromagnetic interference shielding in aligned and compact Ti3C2Tx MXene film

Abstract The pressing demand for ultrathin and flexible shields to counter electromagnetic interference (EMI) has sparked interest in Ti3C2Tx MXene materials due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and layered structure. However, pure Ti3C2Tx MXene films often lack the mechanical properties required for practical engineering applications, and traditional reinforcement methods tend to reduce electrical conductivity. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to enhance the alignment and densely packed layered structure of Ti3C2Tx MXene films by regulating the acidity and alkalinity of Ti3C2Tx MXene aqueous solutions. This approach simultaneously improves mechanical strength and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). Compared with original Ti3C2Tx MXene films, MXene films modified with ammonia solution (NH3·H2O) via OH− show a significant improvement in tensile strength (27.7 ± 1.9 MPa). Meanwhile, MXene films treated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) via H+ reach an even higher tensile strength of 39 ± 1.5 MPa. Moreover, the EMI SE values of the treated MXene films increase significantly, each reaching 66.2 and 58.4 dB. The maximum improvements in EMI SE values for the acid- and alkali-treated samples are 17.9% and 4%, respectively. In conclusion, the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical strength and EMI shielding efficacy highlights the potential of acid- and alkali-treated Ti3C2Tx MXene films for applications in ultrathin and flexible EMI shielding materials. Graphical abstract

Surface Plasmons in Two-Dimensional MXenes.

MXenes, a class of layered two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties and show promise for fields ranging from photonics and communications to energy storage and catalysis. Some members of the MXene family are metallic and exhibit large in-plane conductivity, making them possibly suited for 2D plasmonics. The highly variable chemical structure of MXenes offers a broad chemical space to tune material properties for plasmonic applications, including plasmon-enhanced catalysis, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and electromagnetic shielding. However, this synthetic complexity has also presented several roadblocks in the process of moving MXene plasmonics into applications. For example, in the prototypical MXene Ti3C2Tx, there remains disagreement over the bulk plasmon energy and the assignment of a prominent resonance around 1.7 eV. We discuss fundamental models and theories of plasmon physics and apply these models to MXenes in order to clarify some of these problems. We outline the potential for hyperbolic plasmons in MXenes and propose new avenues for MXene photonics research.

Multifunctional Electromagnetic Responsive Porous Materials Synthesized by Freeze Casting: Principles, Progress, and Prospects

AbstractFreeze casting is a solidification technique utilized in the fabrication of porous materials. However, the freeze casting process is quite complex, and significant challenges remain in precisely controlling the pore size and shape of porous structures. This study aims to investigate the customization of multifunctional electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers with 3D porous structures via freeze casting. This review initially presents the fundamental principles underlying the freeze casting technique and examines the correlation between internal and external factors during the preparation process and porosity. The emerging trends in constructing novel and intricate macroscopic structures through freeze casting are subsequently outlined. Furthermore, this review focuses on the fabrication of composites with various porous microstructures through freeze casting of low‐dimensional building blocks, and their EMW response and multifunctional properties. By regulating the internal and external influencing mechanisms of freeze casting, porous EMW absorption materials exhibit outstanding advantages such as electromagnetic property manipulation, controllable structure, high porosity, high specific surface area, lightweight, and flexibility. These features broaden their applications in electromagnetic shielding, mechanical property, radar stealth, thermal insulation and fire prevention, flexible sensors, antifreeze ability, etc. In addition, we discuss the challenges and prospects of high‐performance EMW absorbers using freeze casting techniques.

Design and operation of a whole-body MRI scanner without RF shielding.

To investigate how a clinical MRI system can be operated without an RF cabin. Receive interference cancellation via signal processing and active transmit emission suppression are evaluated for mitigating image artifacts and achieving electromagnetic compatibility. A clinical whole-body MR scanner with B0 = 0.55 T was placed in an environment without RF shielding. The signals of 16 additional auxiliary receive antenna elements outside the scanner bore were used to remove interference from the wanted MR signal via a dedicated sidelobe cancellation algorithm. In vivo measurements with different MR sequences were performed in the presence of ambient RF noise and additional artificial interferers, covering brain and abdominal applications. To investigate the transmit electromagnetic compatibility, simulations with different auxiliary transmit antenna arrangements and body coil loading conditions were performed, and their emission suppression performance in the far field was evaluated. The MR sidelobe cancellation algorithm successfully removed interference artifacts up to more than 3 times of the wanted MR image energy; difference images carried little to no visibly removed wanted signal. According to the simulations, electromagnetic compliance can be achieved with 32 or more auxiliary transmit antennas. The number and placement of sensor points are essential. A whole-body 0.55T MR scanner can be operated without RF shielding. Image artifacts from external interference can be removed, requiring only a modest number of auxiliary antennas. Electromagnetic compliance appears to be achievable using active transmit cancellation, but the required hardware efforts may not be practical.

Gamma-ray shielding effectiveness, optical, mechanical, dielectric properties of nanofiller-reinforced PVA/PVP polymeric blend nanocomposites

The aqueous solution cast method was used to create the biodegradable polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films from a blend of poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) PVP (70/30 wt %) and Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs). These PNC films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy SEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. XRD and FTIR results indicate that Fe+ 3 NPs interact with the host polymer. Optical, electrical, mechanical, and radiation shielding measurements were performed on the PNC films. From the optical measurements, the indirect optical band gap drops from 4.86 eV for the pure blend to 4.26 eV at the greatest NPs concentration. Optical limiting characterization shows that the output power of He-Ne and solid-state green laser beams is reduced from 22.98 to 3.6 mW and 6.59 to 1.4 mW, respectively, when the Fe2O3 NPs content in the blend matrix is increased to 6 wt %. The NGCal software was utilized to calculate nuclear radiation shielding properties. The findings demonstrated that when the concentration of Fe2O3 rose, the PNC films half-value layer and mean free path decreased. Mechanical measurements demonstrate that increasing the Fe2O3 content significantly improves nanocomposite films’ yield and tensile strength. Tensile strength is measured at 27.03 MPa for the composite film containing 6 wt % Fe2O3, which is significantly higher than the 8.66 MPa of the pure (PVA-PVP) film. Compared to the other samples under examination, the 6 wt % Fe2O3 sample yielded the best results (based on the analyzed optical, electrical, mechanical, and radiation shielding properties).

Raising the Oxidation Resistance of Low-Alloyed Mg-Ca Alloys Through a Preheating Treatment in an Argon Atmosphere

With the rise and development of aerospace, communications, electronics, medical, transportation and other fields, magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have attracted much attention for their high specific strength and stiffness, good electromagnetic shielding properties, excellent damping properties and other advantages. However, magnesium has a high affinity for oxygen, producing magnesium oxide (MgO), and MgO’s Pilling–Bedworth ratio (PBR) of 0.81 is not protective. The occurrence of catastrophic oxidation is unavoidable with the increase of oxidation time and temperature. A promising approach is to perform an appropriate pretreatment in conjunction with alloying to obtain a dense and compact composite protective film. In this work, the effect of a preheating treatment on the oxidation resistance (OR) of Mg-xCa (x = 1, 3 and 5 wt. %) was investigated. The preheating was carried out in an Ar atmosphere at 400 °C for 8 h. Upon it, a dense and compact MgO/CaO composite protective film was formed on the surface, which is CaO-rich especially in the vicinity to the surface. The alloys’ oxidation resistance was strongly increased due to the composite protective film formed during the preheating treatment, in particular for Mg-3Ca. Relative to the Mg-hcp phase, the OR of the Mg2Ca phase was significantly raised.

Multifunctional-structural integrated wood cellulose‑based composite with Magpie’s Nest-shaped enhance flame retardancy and electromagnetic interference shielding

The construction of multifunctional hydrophobic wood with electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness had attracted great interest, at the same time, the problem of wood flammability must also be solved. In this study, the effectiveness of DOPO-based P and Zn complexes in improving wood flame retardancy and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, and the outstanding contribution of lignocellulose skeleton and multi-interface to shielding effectiveness was demonstrated. DOPO-based P and Zn complexes with “Needle-punched” structure and much functional groups were loaded on the wood surface, and then micro-nano metal Ni particles were deposited. Through the optimization of the wood surface and itself structure, and the construction of a complete conductive network. Wood/ZnP/Ni composites electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness couold reach 65.04 dB in the X-band. It was worth noting that the lignocellulose skeleton prepared by the top-down method and multi-interface structure increase electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness by 10.71 % and 33.89 %, respectively. In addition, the synergistic effect of DOPO-based P and Zn complexes and the introduction of PDMS layer improved the flame retardancy (limiting oxygen index was 35.3 %) and hydrophobicity (contact angle was 133.07°), which avoided the wood poor durability problem in use. There was no doubt that it provided a new strategy for the preparation of novel materials with low-cost and extremely excellent electromagnetic interference shielding properties.

Optimization of Electromagnetic-Wave Reflectivity Performance of Electromagnetic Shielding Yarn Prepared by Evaporation-Induced Sintering of Ga60.5In25Sn13Zn1.5 Alloy with Nanosilicates.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding textiles have received widespread attention, and liquid metal (LM) shows superiority in flexible and deformable electronics. Here, we introduce a novel method using nanosilicates to help sinter LM through capillary evaporation, resulting in strong adhesion to substrates. By adjustment of the amount of nanosilicates, flexible EMI shielding yarns are created using dip-coating and curing processes. The sintered LM tightly adhered to the undulating and uneven surfaces of polyurethane (PU) yarns. The as-fabricated ION/LM@PU ("ION" is abbreviation of "ionogel") has strong EMI shielding and low EM-wave reflection due to the high electrical conductivity of the LM layer and good impedance matching of P(AAm-co-AA) ionogel. The addition of an ionogel enhances EM-wave absorption and strengthens interfacial polarization, making it an effective green EMI shielding yarn for reducing secondary reflection pollution. ION/LM@PU exhibited high total electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SET) (∼56 dB), low reflected power coefficient (R) (∼0.153), high impedance matching (|Zin/Z0| ≈ 0.660), high tensile strength (∼23.75 MPa), and high elastic recovery (∼0.92 at 10th stretch-release cycle). The EMI shielding mechanism of ION/LM@PU ± 60° is composed of reflective loss and absorption loss (including multireflective loss, conduction loss, dipole polarization loss, and interfacial polarization loss).

Correction: Sriseubsai et al. Robust Design of PC/ABS Filled with Nano Carbon Black for Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness and Surface Resistivity. Processes 2020, 8, 616

With this correction, the Editorial Office together with the authors are making the following amendments to the published article [...]

Microwave electromagnetic shielding with free-standing composites based on graphene oxide and silver nanowires

Microwave electromagnetic shielding with free-standing composites based on graphene oxide and silver nanowires

An improved circuit model for the estimation of the electromagnetic energy coupling throughout aperture into metallic enclosure

The development and exploration of approximate phenomenological models used to calculate the electromagnetic energy coupling throughout apertures into metallic enclosures is presented in this paper. An analytical approach has been established for the calculation of the electric and magnetic shielding effectiveness (SE, SM) a rectangular metallic enclosure with an aperture and conductor in it by means of Robinson's model. With the existence of inductive and capacitive obstacles, the modal technique is to complete the first one to estimate SE and SM exactly taking into consideration the maximum of propagating modes. The results of the SE and SM obtained by the analytical model are validated by the software CST/EMC and the Finite-Difference Time Domain method (FDTD). Very similar results are obtained between these methods.

Tunable negative permittivity behavior and excellent electromagnetic shielding performance of pyrolytic carbon‐glass fiber felt/epoxy resin metacomposites

AbstractEffective and accurate adjustment of negative permittivity behavior is worthy of further investigation. Herein, pyrolytic carbon‐glass fiber felt/epoxy resin (PyC‐GFF/ER) metacomposites with tunable negative permittivity were prepared using an impregnation‐calcination method. The permittivity, electrical conductivity, and electromagnetic shielding performance of the polymer metacomposites were investigated. Due to the inherent three‐dimensional structural network of GFF, the PyC adhering to the surface of glass fiber easily formed a conductive network in the composites. As the PyC content increased in the ER composites, the conductivity mechanism changed from hopping conduction to metal‐like conduction. The ER composites with high PyC contents showed negative permittivity behavior and the epsilon‐near‐zero response owing to the low frequency plasma state of free electrons in the PyC‐conduction network. By controlling the PyC content, the negative permittivity behavior of ER composites could be effectively tuned. With the increase in PyC content, the values of negative permittivity increased, and the epsilon‐near‐zero frequency shifted to a higher frequency. Moreover, the ER composites with high PyC contents showed excellent electromagnetic shielding properties (29.4 dB) at X‐band. This work not only provided a feasible method to realize the tunable negative permittivity of polymer metacomposites, but also promoted its application in the microwave field.Highlights The pyrolytic carbon‐glass fiber felt/epoxy resin composites were fabricated. The negative permittivity was first reported in the PyC‐GFF/ER composites. Tunable negative permittivity could be well explained by Drude model. The polymer composites had excellent electromagnetic shielding property.

Tunable Negative Permittivity and Magnetic Properties of Ag/BLM Ceramic Metacomposites

Abstract Percolation composites with tunable negative permittivity have garnered significant attention due to their potential use in the field of electromagnetic interference shielding, near field amplification, antennas, and sensors. However, studies on the magnetic property at a frequency range of 100 MHz to 1 GHz are relatively scarce. The objective of this study was to examine the magnetic property and adjustable negative permittivity of silver/La-doped barium ferrite(Ag/BLM) ceramic metacomposites. In this study, Ag/BLM ceramic metacomposites with varying Ag content were prepared using a simple impregnation-calcination method. We investigate the permittivity, reactance, and permeability of Ag/BLM ceramic metacomposites at 100 MHz ~ 1GHz. The findings indicate that the percolation threshold for Ag/BLM ceramic metacomposites with x wt% is between 10 wt% and 19 wt%. When Ag content reaches 19 wt%, it creates a conductive network that generates a high number of free electrons. This leads to low-frequency plasma states and results in negative permittivity. Meanwhile, the permeability of Ag/BLM ceramic metacomposites shows the frequency dispersion due to the magnetic resonance and eddy current. Therefore, this study's findings suggest that composites with tunable negative permittivity and permeability may be developed and utilised for microwave absorption, antenna design, and wireless power transmission.

Shielding Effectiveness of Textile Woven Fabric with Carbon Nanotubes Yarn

ABSTRACT This study explores the electromagnetic properties of flat textile products enhanced with carbon nanotube (CNT) threads used as the weft. CNT threads, fabricated via dry-spinning, were integrated into fabrics by wrapping them around steel threads to form a solenoid-like structure. To further improve electromagnetic attenuation, the CNT yarn was coated with graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles. The research assessed the impact of these modifications on the fabric’s ability to attenuate alternating electromagnetic fields across a range of frequencies. Results showed enhanced attenuation at 30 MHz and 500 MHz. CNT yarn wrapped around steel threads achieved attenuation efficiencies of 18 dB at 30 MHz and 22 dB at 500 MHz, with a notable 10 dB improvement at 30 MHz over the reference. Fabrics with CNT yarn coated with graphene oxide demonstrated similar performance to the reference fabric at 500 MHz and an 8 dB increase at 30 MHz. Similarly, CNT yarn with silver nanoparticles showed comparable performance at higher frequencies but matched the reference at 30 MHz. These results indicate significant enhancement at lower frequencies, with benefits diminishing at higher. This study underscores the potential of integrating CNTs and metal nanoparticles into textiles to improve electromagnetic shielding, especially across specific frequencies.

Analysis of Shielding Performance in Double-Layered Enclosures with Integrated Absorbers

Generally, various technologies, including waveguide below cutoff (WBC), gasket sealing, and bonding, are employed in metallic enclosures to achieve the high electromagnetic shielding performance required for EMP protection and EMC countermeasures in shielding structures or facilities. While the shielding structure or facility is properly constructed and maintained according to design specifications, its electromagnetic shielding performance can remain at the required level, effectively protecting internal electrical and electronic equipment from external electromagnetic interference. However, unintended apertures often occur during the construction or maintenance of shielding facilities, compromising their shielding performance. Therefore, it is crucial to develop technologies that prevent shielding effectiveness degradation caused by both intentional and unintentional apertures. This paper proposes a structure incorporating a composite absorber (made of dielectric and magnetic absorber) within a double metal panel of enclosure featuring an aperture, aimed at maintaining and improving the facility’s shielding performance. The effectiveness of the proposed structure was validated through numerical simulation.

Multifunctional composite paper fabricated by graphene oxide/tannin decorated carbon fiber with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, antibacterial and sound absorption properties

Considering the distinctive oxidative coupling characteristic of tannin acid, it was used as an interfacial interlayer to build a nano-coating structure on the surface of carbon fiber (CF)using amino-modified graphene oxide (GON) via Schiff base reaction. Furthermore, a kind of multifunctional composite paper (PTCF/GON) with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, antibacterial and sound absorption properties was fabricated using surface modified CF (TCF/GON) and plant fibers. The increased active groups on the surface of TCF/GON improved its hydrophilicity and enhanced its dispersibility in water, which facilitated to form an effective interconnected conductive network of composite paper via traditional wet forming process. Composite paper fabricated by 30 wt% surface decorated CF (PTCF1.5/GON1.2) achieved an electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness as high as 43.4 dB in X-band, shielding 99.9 % of incident electromagnetic energy. Meanwhile, PTCF1.5/GON1.2 exhibits good sound absorption performance in specific frequency bands, with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.98 around 1180 Hz. Besides, PTCF1.5/GON1.2 also exhibited excellent antibacterial properties. This strategy provides an economical and practical method for manufacturing multifunctional electromagnetic shielding materials with superior performance.

Flexible Thermoelectric BiSbTe/Carbon Paper/BiSbTe Sandwiches for Bimode Temperature‐Pressure Sensors

AbstractBimode temperature‐pressure sensors hold significant promise in personal health monitoring, wearables and robotic signal detection. Traditional bimode sensors typically combine two independent sensors, leading to fabrication complexity. This study develops a bimode temperature‐pressure sensor by using a facile electrodeposition method to create sandwiched BiSbTe/Carbon Paper/BiSbTe thin films and stacking them to a vertical structure. It demonstrates high sensitivity for temperature sensing, capable of detecting temperature difference as low as 1 K, and a rapid response time of 0.92 s due to a vertical structure. Utilizing its thermoelectric mechanism, the sensor achieves self‐powered sensing for finger touch and respiration states. Furthermore, its island‐like contact surface ensures high sensitivity with an extremely fast response time of 0.17 s, by rapidly changing contact resistance under pressure, allowing it to detect various human behaviors, including body movements and micro‐expressions. Beyond its sensing capabilities, the film excels in flexibility, electromagnetic interference shielding, and stability, presenting significant potential for integration into self‐powered electronic skin systems for health monitoring, wearables, artificial intelligence, and other electronic skin applications.

Analysis and Design of a Recyclable Inductive Power Transfer System for Sustainable Multi-Stage Rocket Microgrid with Multi-Constant Voltage Output Characteristics—Theoretical Considerations

After a traditional one-time rocket is launched, most of its parts will fall into the atmosphere and burn or fall into the ocean. The parts cannot be recycled, so the cost is relatively high. Multi-stage rockets can be recovered after launch, which greatly reduces the cost of space launches. Moreover, recycling rockets can reduce the generation of waste and reduce pollution and damage to the environment. With the reduction in rocket launch costs and technological advances, space exploration and development can be carried out more frequently and economically. It provides technical support for the sustainable use of space resources. It not only promotes the sustainable development of the aerospace field but also has a positive impact on global environmental protection, resource utilization, and economic development. In order to adapt to the stage-by-stage separation structure of the rocket, this paper proposes a new multi-stage rocket inductive power transfer (IPT) system to power the rocket microgrid. The planar coil structure is used to form wireless power transfer between each stage of the rocket, reducing the volume of the magnetic coupling structure. The volume of the circuit topology structure is reduced by introducing an auxiliary coil. An equivalent three-stage S/T topology is proposed, and the constant voltage output characteristics of multiple loads are analyzed. A multi-stage coil structure is proposed to supply power to multiple loads simultaneously. In order to eliminate undesired magnetic coupling between coils, ferrite cores are added between coils for effective electromagnetic shielding. The parameters of the magnetic coupling structure are optimized based on the finite element method (FEM). A prototype of the proposed IPT system is built to simulate a multi-stage rocket. A series of experiments are conducted to verify the advantages of the proposed IPT system, and the three-stage rocket system efficiency reached 88.5%. This project is theoretical. Its verification was performed only in the laboratory conditions.

Flexible and durable shape memory EVA/MXene/EVA fiber membrane for programmable EMI shielding

Flexible and lightweight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are currently the focus of electromagnetic protection material research. By applying shape memory polymers to the field of electromagnetic shielding, intelligent electromagnetic shielding composites with programmable shielding performance can be prepared. In this study, a flexible EVA/MXene/EVA electromagnetic shielding composite membrane with programmable shielding effectiveness was prepared using electrospinning, vacuum filtration, and hot pressing techniques. Even with a low MXene content, the EMI shielding effectiveness in the X-band still achieved 40.5 dB, and the specific EMI shielding effectiveness was as high as 6.23 × 103 dB cm2 g−1. The composite membrane exhibited excellent shape memory performance, with a shape fixation rate (Rf) of 93.8 % and a shape recovery rate (Rr) of 92.1 %, achieving a programmable shielding effectiveness of 14.1–40.5 dB under 0–30 % tensile strain. Additionally, the composite membrane could serve as a switch for electromagnetic shielding, controlling the reception and shielding of electromagnetic waves. Simultaneously, the composite membrane exhibits excellent hydrophobicity, electrothermal conversion capability, and durability. Importantly, it retains almost the same shielding effectiveness even after undergoing 500 cycles of bending and folding, as well as prolonged exposure to strong acids and alkalis. This work not only offers new insights into the development of multifunctional and intelligent electromagnetic shielding composites suitable for harsh environments but also expands the application scope of shape memory smart materials.