Recent advances in carbon-based polymer nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference shielding

Abstract

Carbon-based nanoparticles have recently generated a great attention, as they could create polymer nanocomposites with enhanced transport properties, overcoming some limitations of electrically-conductive polymers for high demanding sectors. Particular importance has been given to the protection of electronic components from electromagnetic radiation emitted by other devices. This review considers the recent advances in carbon-based polymer nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. After a revision of the types of carbon-based nanoparticles and respective polymer nanocomposites and preparation methods, the review considers the theoretical models for predicting the EMI shielding, divided in those based on electrical conductivity, models based on the EMI shielding efficiency, on the so-called parallel resistor-capacitor model and those based on multiscale hybrids. Recent advances in the EMI shielding of carbon-based polymer nanocomposites are presented and related to structure and processing, focusing on the effects of nanoparticle's aspect ratio and possible functionalization, dispersion and alignment during processing, as well as the *Manuscript 2 use of nanohybrids and 3D reinforcements. Examples of these effects are presented for nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes/nanofibres and graphene-based materials. A final section is dedicated to cellular nanocomposites, focusing on how the resulting morphology and cellular structures may generate lightweight multifunctional nanocomposites with enhanced absorption-based EMI shielding properties.

Highly Stretchable Polymer Composite with Strain‐Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness

“…Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is becoming ubiquitous due to widespread use of personal electronic devices and rising demands for increasingly powerful devices with improved functionality 1,2. EMI can compromise performance of electronic devices by causing information leakage, false operations, or even complete failure 1–3. There is also growing concern about detrimental effects of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, in particular from forthcoming 5th generation (5G) communications, on human health 2.…”

“…There is also growing concern about detrimental effects of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, in particular from forthcoming 5th generation (5G) communications, on human health 2. Typical materials used for mitigating EM transmission include sheet metals, metal screens, and metal foams 1. Reflection and absorption of EM radiation represent two primary mechanisms of EMI shielding, which arise from direct interaction of mobile charge carriers and electric/magnetic dipoles in shielding materials with the EM fields, respectively 1,4.…”

“…Typical materials used for mitigating EM transmission include sheet metals, metal screens, and metal foams 1. Reflection and absorption of EM radiation represent two primary mechanisms of EMI shielding, which arise from direct interaction of mobile charge carriers and electric/magnetic dipoles in shielding materials with the EM fields, respectively 1,4. The electrical conductivity of the materials is regarded as the most critical parameter in governing the EMI shielding characteristics 1…”

“…Recently, a variety of electrically conductive fillers including metallic nanowires and nanoparticles,2,5–7 liquid‐metal (LM) droplets,8–10 carbon‐based materials (e.g., graphene, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes)1,11,12 and 2D transition‐metal carbides13–15 have been incorporated into polymer matrix to yield EMI shielding polymer composites. While these composites are easily processable, lightweight, and mechanically flexible, their EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) is inevitably plagued by the reduction in electrical conductivity with the applied stretch,6–8,12,15,16 a common phenomenon in the current stretchable conductors 17–19.…”

Epoxy matrix composites reinforced with purified carbon nanotubes for thermal management applications

“…The design of polymer matrix nanocomposites has emerged as a versatile way to address severe challenges arising from a wide range of material technologies . Carbon nanotube‐based polymer composites have become one of the most rapidly growing areas in the field of polymer science and engineering . Remarkable thermal properties have been extensively reported for this new form of carbon .…”