Role of Magnetite (Fe₃O₄)-Titania (TiO₂) hybrid particle on mechanical, thermal and microwave attenuation behaviour of flexible natural rubber composite in X and Ku band frequencies

Abstract

This current work aims to prepare a flexible elastomeric microwave shielding composite material with good mechanical and thermal properties by dispersing Fe 3 O 4 and titania hybrid nano-particles. The primary aim of this research work is to prepare a high strength and high thermal stable flexible natural rubber composite with higher wave attenuation coefficient against 'X (8-12 GHz)' and 'Ku (12-18 GHz)' band microwave frequencies. The Fe 3 O 4 -Titania hybrids were prepared using low energy ball milling and the hybridization effect was confirmed using transmission electron spectroscopy. The prepared Fe 3 O 4 -Titania hybrids were surface-treated using 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane via wet solution method to avoid agglomeration. The natural rubber flexible composite was made by two-roll milling with recommended process parameters. The mechanical and thermal results showed improved tensile strength, modulus and mass decomposition. The highest tensile strength of 60 MPa was observed for composite contains 1.0 vol% of Fe 3 O 4 -TiO 2 particles. Similarly, the highest thermal stability of 385°C is observed for composite contain Fe 3 O 4 -TiO 2 particles. The X and Ku band microwave attenuation behaviour revealed the highest attenuation of 28.1 dB for 1.0 vol% of Fe 3 O 4 -TiO 2 particle dispersed rubber composite in Ku band frequency. These mechanically toughened thermally stable and high microwave attenuation flexible composites could be used as EMI shielding material at antennae and other telecommunication devices where electromagnetic wave interference creates crucial issues.

Fabrication of TiO2 Spheres and a Visible Light Active α-Fe2O3/TiO2-Rutile/TiO2-Anatase Heterogeneous Photocatalyst from Natural Ilmenite

“…However, it was very difficult to isolate all crystalline planes of the anatase. The shielding effect of Fe 3 O 4 had taken place during the precipitation Figure i shows the XRD pattern of the TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite calcined at 450 °C, which perfectly matched with ICDD DB card nos.…”

Recent advancements in the electromagnetic interference shielding performance of nanostructured materials and their nanocomposites: a review

“…Dielectric materials and their composites have also been used in blocking incoming EM waves. 406–437 Lu et al 406 studied the thickness dependence variation of reflection loss against ε ′ and ε ′′ (Fig. 18(a)) and microwave absorption properties of the composites loaded with 10 wt% ZnO@MWCNTs vs. the frequency and thickness at different temperatures (Fig.…”

“…414 The average EMI SE with the buckypaper (BP)/PP–PLA–TiO 2 hybrid composite films of 90 μm thickness was found to be 40 dB at 0–3 GHz. 415 Graphene nanosheets/BaTiO 3 , 416 SiO 2 -coated Fe 3 O 4 -MWCNT, 417 MWCNT/La-doped BaTiO 3 , 418 (Bi 2 O 3 + B 2 O 3 )-doped MWCNT/BaTiO 3 , 419 NiFe 2 O 4 /BaTiO 3 , 420 Fe 3 O 4 –TiO 2 /natural rubber, 421 and MWCNT–BaTiO 3 /silica 422 also exhibited good shielding performance in the blocking of EM waves.…”

Enhancement of mechanical and dynamic mechanical thermal characteristics of woven glass fabric–reinforced multi-nanoparticle–filled toughened epoxy composites

“…Amine-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (ATBN) liquid of 10 wt% was added to enhance the toughness of the epoxy matrix. 12…”

“…[7][8][9] The significant purpose of the incorporation of nanofiller particles (because of their high stiffness) in polymer composites was to enhance their mechanical characteristics, damping property, and thermal stability. [10][11][12] The suitability of particular nanofillers with polymer matrices plays a very important role in altering the complete performance of such composites. [13][14][15] Nevertheless, the enhancements depend on the concentration, shape, and size of the nanofiller and interbonding between the matrix, reinforcement, and nanoparticle fillers.…”