Comparing Two Types of Graphene-Magnetic Nanocomposites with Enhanced Electromagnetic Properties Synthesized by Two Different Exfoliation Methods

Abstract

This study has focused on comparing the structure, composition, and magnetic properties of two graphene composites synthesized by two distinctive methods of exfoliation, i.e., one-step and simultaneous exfoliation−electrodeposition. Furthermore, the study investigates the effects of these properties on the quality of electromagnetic (EM) shielding in the nanocomposites (NPs). To synthesize the first composite, we use a DC power supply and graphite foil electrodes in an FeSO 4 •7H 2 O and NiCl 2 •6H 2 O bath. To construct the second composite, we employ an AC power supply and the graphite rod in the FeSO 4 •7H 2 O and CuSO 4 •7H 2 O bath. The characterization results of these graphene composites attest to the fact that, compared to the first composite, graphene layers in the second composite show fewer defects, higher crystallization, and more layers. These properties in the second composite make the electromagnetic shielding properties of the Gr/CuFe nanocomposite superior to the those of the first one. This provides the Gr/CuFe nanocomposite with remarkable enhanced absorption characteristics, making it particularly suitable to be adopted in high-frequency absorbers.