Conductive Skeleton-Heterostructure Composites Based on Chrome Shavings for Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing demand for renewable, bio-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials.
• Challenges in creating effective EMI shielding structures from raw biomass using eco-friendly methods.
• Need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions for EMI shielding applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel hybrid composite for EMI shielding applications using waste chrome shavings.
• To investigate the structural and conductive properties of the multi-walled carbon nanotube/polypyrrole/chrome-tanned collagen fiber (MWCNT/PPy/CF) composite.
• To evaluate the EMI shielding performance of the developed material.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a ternary composite (MWCNT/PPy/CF) utilizing waste chrome shavings as a matrix.
• Characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to confirm chromium's binding effect.
• Measurement of electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X band.

Main Results:

• The MWCNT/PPy/CF composite exhibited superior electrical conductivity (354 ± 52 S/m) compared to PPy/CF and MWCNT/CF.
• Achieved a high shielding effectiveness (SE) of 30 dB at 0.48 mm thickness in the X band.
• Significantly improved shielding effectiveness of absorption (SE_A) from 15.3 dB to 20.4 dB due to MWCNT network synergy.

Conclusions:

• The developed MWCNT/PPy/CF composite offers a sustainable, low-cost, and effective solution for EMI shielding.
• The novel structure, combining a conductive skeleton and heterostructure, enhances EMI shielding performance.
• This approach provides a viable method for utilizing waste chrome shavings in advanced material applications.