Epoxy composites with different amounts of magnetite nanoparticles, carbon nanofibres (CNF) and magnetite decorated CNF were prepared and characterized. A simple method for the magnetite CNF decoration was developed by adsorbing preformed oleic acid capped magnetite nanoparticles over the CNF surface. A synergy between magnetite nano particles and CNF was found to have crucial effects in the electromagnetic shielding effi ciency of the prepared materials. This effect has been analysed by their electrical conductivity in terms of percolation theory and complex permittivity at high frequencies. Electromagnetic shielding mechanisms (reflection, absorption and transmission) were individually studied in the 1 18 GHz range. Results show that decoration of CNF with mag netite, notably increases permittivity and high frequency AC conductivity and enhances the electromagnetic shielding efficiency up to around 20 dB at high frequencies. It is pro posed that interfacial polarization adds an additional dissipation mechanism that may be responsible for the observed electromagnetic shielding enhancement.
IntroductionAn electronic device is considered compatible with the envi ronment when its emissions do not affect other devices and is not affected itself by external emissions. Thus, any effort for minimizing interferences and protecting electronic de vices is of prime importance. Electromagnetic interferences (EMI) in many cases are minimized through the circuit design or using filters, while protection of devices is generally im proved with the use of metallic coatings [1 3], metal casings or polymer conductive composites [4 23]. The shielding mechanism in the two former cases is mainly related with radiation reflection processes while radiation absorption is the main mechanism in the latter. The choice of a material for shielding depends strongly on the final application: for example, low reflection losses and high absorption losses are required for military radar shielding materials whilst lightweight materials are a must for aerospace shielding applications; polymer matrix composites are thus promising materials that may fulfil a variety of requirements in all the above emerging fields. Three mechanisms for electromagnetic shielding are com monly accepted: reflection, absorption and multiple reflec tions [22]. In good conductors (i.e.: metals), the most important contribution is reflection, where losses are related with the ratio between conductivity and permeability (r/l). When considering composites, absorption, which depends on the product (rAEl) and on the thickness of the material, is * Corresponding author: Fax: +34 91 6249430. E mail address: jpozue@ing.uc3m.es (J. Pozuelo).1 the main mechanism. The third mechanism (multiple reflec tions) is related to the conductor skin thickness and for high frequencies, in the GHz range, is negligible [23]. For the pro tection of electronic devices towards external radiation, the most important mechanism should be reflection, so high con ductivity and low permeability is requir...