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Highly Conductive PDMS Composite Mechanically Enhanced with 3D-Graphene Network for High-Performance EMI Shielding
Dongyi Ao1, Yongliang Tang2, Xiaofeng Xu1
1School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 23, 2020
Summary
A novel 3D graphene network (GN) composite with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) offers superior electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This lightweight, flexible material significantly enhances mechanical strength, making it ideal for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Composites
Background:
- Developing lightweight and flexible materials with high electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is crucial for modern electronics.
- Existing conductive polymers often struggle to balance conductivity, shielding effectiveness, and mechanical properties.
- Graphene's unique properties make it a promising candidate for enhancing polymer composites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a highly conductive three-dimensional (3D) graphene network (GN) using a nickel fiber template.
- To prepare a lightweight and flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/GN composite with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties.
- To evaluate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) and tensile strength of the developed composite.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 3D graphene network (GN) via chemical vapor deposition on a 3D nickel fiber network, followed by etching.
- Preparation of a PDMS/GN composite using a vacuum infiltration method with the GN as a template.
- Characterization of electrical conductivity, EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X-band, and tensile strength.
Main Results:
- The PDMS/GN composite achieved a superior electrical conductivity of 6100 S/m at a low graphene loading of 1.2 wt %.
- Outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of approximately 40 dB and 90 dB was observed at thicknesses of 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, respectively.
- The composite exhibited a significant 256% increase in tensile strength with only 1.2 wt % graphene loading, demonstrating its role as a mechanical enhancer.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D graphene network/PDMS composite offers excellent electrical conductivity and EMI shielding performance.
- The material demonstrates superior mechanical enhancement compared to neat PDMS, attributed to the 3D GN structure.
- This lightweight and flexible composite presents a promising solution for advanced electromagnetic shielding applications.
