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Published on: June 23, 2017
A Healable and Mechanically Enhanced Composite with Segregated Conductive Network Structure for High-Efficient
Ting Wang1, Wei-Wei Kong1, Wan-Cheng Yu1
1College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, People's Republic of China.
Researchers developed a novel self-healing composite using carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, and polyurethane for advanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This material maintains high EMI shielding effectiveness and mechanical strength even after damage, offering durable solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Conductive polymer composites face challenges in maintaining electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) and stability under mechanical stress.
- Developing materials with both high EMI SE and self-healing capabilities is crucial for long-term applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel healable and segregated carbon nanotube (CNT)/graphene oxide (GO)/polyurethane (PU) composite.
- To achieve excellent and reliable EMI SE even under complex mechanical conditions.
- To enhance mechanical properties and introduce efficient healing functionality.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of cationic waterborne polyurethane microspheres with Diels-Alder bonds.
- Electrostatic assembly of negatively charged CNT/GO hybrid onto positively charged PU microspheres.
- Characterization of electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness, mechanical properties, and healing efficiency.
Main Results:
- A segregated conductive network was formed, achieving a high EMI SE of 52.7 dB at 10 wt% CNT/GO loading.
- The composite demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, with tensile strength of 43.1 MPa and elongation at break of 626%.
- The material exhibited efficient healing, with EMI SE retention up to 90% and elongation at break healing efficiency of 95% after three cutting/healing cycles.
Conclusions:
- The electrostatic attraction strategy effectively created segregated conductive networks, enhancing EMI SE and mechanical properties.
- Diels-Alder bonds in the polyurethane microspheres enabled efficient self-healing under heating.
- This novel composite shows significant potential for durable EMI shielding applications in high-precision electrical instruments.
