Highly Deformable Porous Electromagnetic Wave Absorber Based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

The need for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields has risen over the years as the result of our digitally and highly connected lifestyle. This work reports on the development of one such shield based on vulcanized rubber foams. Nanocomposites of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber a...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Bizhani, Hasti, Katbab, Ali Asghar, López Hernández, Emil, Miranda Pantoja, José Miguel, Verdejo, Raquel
Format: article
Publication Date:2020
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/6332
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6332
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:537
Emi shielding properties
Electrical-properties
Composite foams
Conductivity
Performance
Behavior
Network
Rubber
Electricidad
Electrónica (Física)
2202.03 Electricidad
Description
Summary:The need for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields has risen over the years as the result of our digitally and highly connected lifestyle. This work reports on the development of one such shield based on vulcanized rubber foams. Nanocomposites of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared via hot compression molding using a chemical blowing agent as foaming agent. MWCNTs accelerated the cure and led to high shear-thinning behavior, indicative of the formation of a 3D interconnected physical network. Foamed nanocomposites exhibited lower electrical percolation threshold than their solid counterparts. Above percolation, foamed nanocomposites displayed EMI absorption values of 28-45 dB in the frequency range of the X-band. The total EMI shielding efficiency of the foams was insignificantly affected by repeated bending with high recovery behavior. Our results highlight the potential of cross-linked EPDM/MWCNT foams as a lightweight EM wave absorber with high flexibility and deformability.