Hybrid polymer nanocomposites as EMI shielding materials in the X-band

Abstract

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a phenomenon where one electromagnetic field interacts with another, generating disturbances in both the fields. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) issue is of grave concern due to a rampant increase in wireless devices and increased sensitivity of electronic gadgets. Conductive polymer nanocomposites have been extensively used as an alternative to metals used traditionally for EMI shielding applications. In this paper, the influence of the EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of the epoxy nanocomposites containing varying quantities of carbon black and magnetite (Fe3O4). The results indicate that addition of magnetic filler (i.e, Fe3O4) increases the shielding effectiveness of the nanocomposites in the X-band. Microstructural characterization of the epoxy nanocomposites using scanning electron microscopy revealed good filler dispersion in the matrix. Mechanical testing on the composites reveals that the Young’s modulus increased with the filler content. This method of increasing the EMI shielding properties of polymer by employing both conductive and magnetic fillers will be useful for other systems as well and will open further avenues for research in this direction.