Fabrication process and electromagnetic wave absorption characterization of a CNT/Ni/epoxy nanocomposite

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2013 Nov;13(11):7669-74. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2013.7820.

Abstract

Since carbon nanotube (CNT) was first discovered in 1991, it has been considered as a viable type of conductive filler for electromagnetic wave absorption materials in the GHz range. In this paper, pearl-necklace-structure CNT/Ni nano-powders were fabricated by a polyol process as conductive fillers. Compared to synthesized CNT, pearl-necklace Ni-decorated CNT increased the electrical conductivity by an order of 1 due to the enhancement of the Ni-conductive network. Moreover, the decorated Ni particles prevented the agglomeration of CNTs by counterbalancing the Van der Walls interaction between the CNTs. A CNT/Ni nanocomposite showed a homogeneous dispersion in an epoxy-based matrix. This enhanced physical morphology and electrical properties lead to an increase in the loss tangent and reflection loss in the CNT/Ni/Epoxy nanocomposite compared to these characteristics of a CNT/Epoxy nanocomposite in range of 8-12 GHz. The electromagnetic wave absorption properties of CNT/Ni/epoxy nanocomposites will provide enormous opportunities for electronic applications where lightweight EMI shielding or electro-magnetic wave absorption properties are necessary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Epoxy Resins / chemistry*
  • Epoxy Resins / radiation effects
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / radiation effects
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Nickel / chemistry*
  • Nickel / radiation effects
  • Particle Size
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Epoxy Resins
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Nickel