Lightweight and Easily Foldable MCMB-MWCNTs Composite Paper with Exceptional Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses a significant challenge in modern electronic devices, necessitating effective shielding solutions.
• Existing EMI shielding materials often lack the desired combination of low density, flexibility, and high performance.
• Carbon-based nanomaterials offer potential for lightweight and conductive shielding applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, lightweight, and foldable composite paper for efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
• To evaluate the EMI shielding effectiveness of the developed material in the X-band frequency region.
• To investigate the specific EMI shielding effectiveness in relation to material density and thickness.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite paper using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and mesocarbon microbead (MCMB).
• Characterization of the composite paper's physical properties, including density and foldability.
• Measurement of EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X-band frequency range for various thicknesses.

Main Results:

• The developed MWCNT-MCMB composite paper is lightweight (0.26 g/cm³) and easily foldable.
• The material exhibits excellent absorption-dominated EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) ranging from -31 to -56 dB for thicknesses of 0.15-0.6 mm.
• Achieved a specific EMI-SE of -215 dB cm³/g, surpassing existing metal and carbon-based composites.
• Demonstrated stable EMI shielding performance even after repeated bending.

Conclusions:

• The novel MWCNT-MCMB composite paper is a highly promising material for lightweight and flexible EMI shielding.
• Its superior performance makes it suitable for next-generation electronic devices and defense applications.
• The simple, efficient, and cost-effective preparation strategy enhances its practical applicability.