High‐Performance Epoxy Nanocomposites Reinforced with Three‐Dimensional Carbon Nanotube Sponge for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Abstract

Light‐weight and high‐performance electromagnetic interference (EMI)‐shielding epoxy nanocomposites are prepared by an infiltration method using a 3D carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge as the 3D reinforcement and conducting framework. The preformed, highly porous, and electrically conducting framework acts as a highway for electron transport and can resist a high external loading to protect the epoxy nanocomposite. Consequently, a remarkable conductivity of 148 S m−1 and an outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness of around 33 dB in the X‐band are achieved for the epoxy nanocomposite with 0.66 wt% of CNT sponge, which is higher than that achieved for epoxy nanocomposites with 20 wt% of conventional CNTs. More importantly, the CNT sponge provides a dual advantage over conventional CNTs in its prominent reinforcement and toughening of the epoxy composite. Only 0.66 wt% of CNT sponge significantly increases the flexural and tensile strengths by 102% and 64%, respectively, as compared to those of neat epoxy. Moreover, the nanocomposite shows a 250% increase in tensile toughness and a 97% increase in elongation at break. These results indicate that CNT sponge is an ideal functional component for mechanically strong and high‐performance EMI‐shielding nanocomposites.

Multifunctions of Polymer Nanocomposites: Environmental Remediation, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, And Sensing Applications

“…Figure 6. [83] The epoxy nanocomposites fabricated through an infiltration method using a 3D CNT sponge which was fabricated via chemical vapor deposition demonstrated a significantly high conductivity of 148 S·m À 1 and a remarkable EMI shielding efficiency of around 33 dB in the X-band at a CNT sponge content of 0.66 wt%, which is pretty low. [71] Reproduced from Ref.…”

Carbon Nanotube Sponges, Aerogels, and Hierarchical Composites: Synthesis, Properties, and Energy Applications

“…The empty space between stacked CNTs create macropores with sizes of tens to hundreds of nm (an average of about 80 nm), with an estimated porosity of more than 99%. The skeletons are MWNTs with diameters of 20-40 nm and open ends as seen from transmission electron microscope (TEM) images, and residual Fe catalyst particles encapsulated in the tube cavities bring CNT sponges many exciting properties (Figure 2 d,e), such as ferromagnetism, [68][69][70] microwave absorption, [ 71,72 ] electrochemistry, [ 46,[73][74][75][76] and thermoelectric application. [ 31,[33][34][35]46,[65][66][67] The interconnected CNT network also renders the macroscopic sponge a good electrical conductivity (1.6 S cm −1 ).…”

Highly efficient multielement flame retardant for multifunctional epoxy resin with satisfactory thermal, flame‐retardant, and mechanical properties

“…Epoxy resins have already obtained wide applications in anticorrosive coatings, microelectronics packaging materials, adhesives, and advanced composite matrices owing to their excellent toughness, chemical resistances, strong adherence, low shrinkage, and satisfactory mechanical and dielectric properties . However, the primary disadvantage of epoxy resins is their flammability, which always threaten people's life and property safety, and limit their effective application in many fields .…”