Graphene Nanoplatelet/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polypyrrole Hybrid Fillers in Polyurethane Nanohybrids with 3D Conductive Networks for EMI Shielding

Abstract

This work reports the preparation of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/ polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid fillers via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization with the addition of a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. These hybrid fillers were incorporated into polyurethane (PU) to prepare GNP/MWCNT/PPy/PU nanohybrids. The electrical conductivity of the nanohybrids was synergistically enhanced by the high conductivity of the hybrid fillers. Furthermore, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) was greatly increased by interfacial polarization between the GNPs, MWCNTs, PPy, and PU. The optimal formulation for the preparation of GNP/MWCNT/PPy three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures was determined by optimization experiments. Using this formulation, we successfully prepared GNP/PPy nanolayers (two-dimensional) that are extensively covered by MWCNT/PPy nanowires (one-dimensional), which interconnect to form GNP/MWCNT/PPy 3D nanostructures. When incorporated into a PU matrix to form a nanohybrid, these 3D nanostructures form a continuous network of conductive GNP−PPy−CNT−PPy−GNP paths. The EMI SE of the nanohybrid is 35−40 dB at 30−1800 MHz, which is sufficient to shield over 99.9% of electromagnetic waves. Therefore, this EMI shielding material has excellent prospects for commercial use. In summary, a nanohybrid with excellent EMI SE performance was prepared using a facile and scalable method and was shown to have great commercial potential.

EVA copolymer loaded with PAni/CNT/GNP hybrids: A flexible and lightweight material with high microwave absorption

“…Furthermore, the t value was 3.05, implying the formation of a three-dimensional network of CNTs and graphene. 64 Lin et al 65 incorporated GNP/CNT and polypyrrole hybrid fillers in polyurethane matrix. They reported high values of conductivity with higher amount of CNT/GNP, related to PPy, as expected, due to the higher conductivity.…”

Graphene Nanocomposites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding—Trends and Advancements

“…The polymers were reinforced with carbon nanofiller-like graphene, graphene derivatives, and carbon nanotubes to improve the EMI shielding efficiency [158]. However, metal nanoparticles and inorganic nanofillers have also been reported as polymer reinforcements for EMI SE features [159,160]. In this context, it was essential to study and understand the mechanism of radiation shielding materials [161].…”

Enhancement of Electromagnetic Wave Shielding Effectiveness by the Incorporation of Carbon Nanofibers–Carbon Microcoils Hybrid into Commercial Carbon Paste for Heating Films

“…Lin et al showed that graphene exhibits a higher electron shielding effect than CNT. In addition, it was shown that when CNT and graphene were hybridized, electrical conductivity was improved by about eight times [ 22 ]. In previous research results, materials with a three-dimensional structure, compared to one-dimensional shielding materials, have higher electromagnetic wave shielding effects [ 23 ].…”