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Polyethylene Composites with Segregated Carbon Nanotubes Network: Low Frequency Plasmons and High Electromagnetic
Ludmila Vovchenko1, Ludmila Matzui1, Viktor Oliynyk2
1Department of Physics, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Volodymyrska str., 64/13, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 7, 2020
Summary
Segregated carbon nanotube (CNT) networks in polyethylene (PE) composites significantly enhance electrical conductivity. These PE-CNT composites exhibit excellent electromagnetic shielding due to absorption, unlike reflective metals.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polyethylene (PE) is a versatile polymer, but its electrical properties are limited.
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
- Developing efficient methods to incorporate CNTs into polymer matrices is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize PE-based composites with segregated CNT networks.
- To investigate the electrical properties and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of these composites.
- To elucidate the relationship between CNT network structure and composite performance.
Main Methods:
- Hot compression of mechanical PE and CNT powder mixtures.
- Electrical conductivity measurements across various CNT concentrations.
- Complex impedance analysis in the frequency range of 1 kHz-2 MHz.
- Electromagnetic shielding efficiency testing in the 40-60 GHz range.
Main Results:
- Segregated CNT networks in PE composites yield superior electrical properties (10⁻¹ S/m at 0.5-1% CNT, 10 S/m at 6-12% CNT).
- Electrically percolated composites show a transition from positive to negative real permittivity, indicating metal-like behavior.
- Drude model accurately describes negative permittivity and AC conductivity for high CNT content (3-12%).
- Near 100% electromagnetic shielding efficiency at 1 mm thickness (40-60 GHz) is achieved via absorption.
Conclusions:
- The segregated CNT network structure is key to the enhanced electrical properties of PE composites.
- The composites exhibit metal-like behavior and efficient electromagnetic shielding through absorption.
- These PE-CNT composites offer a promising alternative to traditional metals for shielding applications.
