Recent advances in multifunctional electromagnetic interference shielding materials

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material is the most effective solution to protect electronic devices and human health from the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation. The study of EMI shielding materials is intensifying in the constantly developing picture of the fourth industrial revolution. Many EMI shielding materials based on metal, carbon, emerging MXene materials, and their composites have been discovered to utilize the EMI shielding performance. However, a huge demand for compact and multi-functional devices requires the integration of new functions into EMI shielding materials. Multifunctional EMI shielding materials perform multiple functions beyond their main function of EMI shielding in a system due to their specific properties. The additional functions can either naturally exist or be specially engineered. This review summarizes the recent progress of cutting-edge multifunctional EMI shielding materials. The possibility of combining multifunction EMI shielding materials, such as strain sensing, humidity sensing, temperature sensing, thermal management, etc., and the difficulties in balancing EMI shielding performance with other functions are also discussed. Lastly, we point out challenges and propose future directions to develop research on multifunctional EMI shielding materials.

Snail Mucus-Enhanced Adhesion of Human Chondrocytes on 3D Porous Agarose Scaffolds

This study reports the preparation of a novel porous 3D scaffold from agarose-snail mucus (AGSMu) for cartilage tissue repair applications. AG is reported for its unique thermal and mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making it suitable for biomedical applications. Still, it lacks the cell adhesion properties required for tissue engineering applications. SMu is a complex substance identified to contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and other bioactive molecules that promote wound healing and reduce cartilage deterioration and inflammation. Hence, porous 3D blend scaffolds containing AG and SMu were prepared by the freeze-drying method, characterized, and investigated for bioactive effects on human chondrocyte (C28/I2) cells. The scaffolds had a microporous structure with an average pore size of 245 μm. FTIR spectroscopy showed that SMu was successfully incorporated into the scaffolds. The SMu increased the mechanical strength of the composite scaffolds by more than 80% compared to the pristine AG scaffold. The scaffolds were found to be biocompatible with tunable degradation. The human chondrocyte cells attached and proliferated well on the 3D scaffolds in a few days, demonstrating a marked improvement in adhesion due to the presence of SMu. Enhanced cell adhesion and mechanical properties of 3D porous AG scaffolds could make them suitable for articular cartilage repair and regeneration.

Nanoparticles influence miscibility in LCST polymer blends: from fundamental perspective to current applications

Polymer blending is an effective method that can be used to fabricate new versatile materials with enhanced properties. The blending of two polymers can result in either a miscible or an immiscible polymer blend system. This present review provides an in-depth summary of the miscibility of LCST polymer blend systems, an area that has garnered much attention in the past few years. The initial discourse of the present review mainly focuses on process-induced changes in the miscibility of polymer blend systems, and how the preparation of polymer blends affects their final properties. This review further highlights how nanoparticles induce miscibility and describes the various methods that can be implemented to avoid nanoparticle aggregation. The concepts and different state-of-the-art experimental methods which can be used to determine miscibility in polymer blends are also highlighted. Lastly, the importance of studying miscible polymer blends is extensively explored by looking at their importance in barrier materials, EMI shielding, corrosion protection, light-emitting diodes, gas separation, and lithium battery applications. The primary goal of this review is to cover the journey from the fundamental aspects of miscible polymer blends to their applications.

Development and Performance of Bioactive Compounds-Loaded Cellulose/Collagen/Polyurethane Materials

Here we present a new biomaterial based on cellulose, collagen and polyurethane, obtained by dissolving in butyl imidazole chloride. This material served as a matrix for the incorporation of tannin and lipoic acid, as well as bioactive substances with antioxidant properties. The introduction of these bioactive principles into the base matrix led to an increase of the compressive strength in the range 105-139 kPa. An increase of 29.85% of the mucoadhesiveness of the film containing tannin, as compared to the reference, prolongs the bioavailability of the active substance; a fact also demonstrated by the controlled release studies. The presence of bioactive principles, as well as tannins and lipoic acid, gives biomaterials an antioxidant capacity on average 40%-50% higher compared to the base matrix. The results of the tests of the mechanical resistance, mucoadhesiveness, bioadhesiveness, water absorption and antioxidant capacity of active principles recommend these biomaterials for the manufacture of cosmetic masks or patches.

Enhancing absorption dominated microwave shielding in Co@C–PVDF nanocomposites through improved magnetization and graphitization of the Co@C-nanoparticles

An improved graphitic layer and magnetization of graphitic carbon coated Co-nanoparticles enhance absorption dominated microwave shielding in Co@C–PVDF nanocomposites.

Nitrogen doping as a fundamental way to enhance the EMI shielding behavior of cobalt particle-embedded carbonaceous nanostructures

The influence of nitrogen doping in pyrolysis-derived carbonaceous nanostructures with embedded Co-nanoparticles (Co@C) for electromagnetic (EM) absorption at microwave frequencies is explored.

Enhanced microwave absorption properties of PMMA modified MnFe2O4–polyaniline nanocomposites

Nanocomposites consisting of polymethyl methacrylate modified MnFe₂O₄ prepared by solution combustion synthesis and polyaniline exhibit enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding property.

K A, Mathew LP, V. G G, Kalarikkal N, Thomas S, Volova T. An effective EMI shielding material based on poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blend nanocomposites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The effects of blend ratio and MWCNT loading on the morphology, electrical properties and electromagnetic shielding performance of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/polypropylene (PP) blend nanocomposites were studied.

A strategy to achieve enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding at low concentration with a new generation of conductive carbon black in a chlorinated polyethylene elastomeric matrix

The fabrication of scalable and affordable conductive Ketjen carbon black (K-CB)-elastomer composites for adjustable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding remains a difficult challenge. Herein, chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)-K-CB composites have been developed by single step solution mixing to achieve high EMI shielding performance associated with absorption dominance potency by conductive dissipation as well as the reflection of electromagnetic waves. The dispersion of K-CB inside the CPE matrix has been corroborated by electron micrographs and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The K-CB filler and CPE polymer interaction has been investigated through the bound rubber content (Bdr) and the dynamic mechanical properties. The relatively low loading of K-CB with respect to other conventional carbon fillers contributes to a promising low percolation threshold (9.6 wt% K-CB) and a reasonably high EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) value of 38.4 dB (at 30 wt% loading) in the X-band region (8.2 to 12.4 GHz). Classical percolation theory reveals that the electrical conduction behavior through the composite system is quasi-two dimensional in nature. Our belief lies in the promotion of scalable production of flexible and cost-effective K-CB-CPE composites of superior EMI SE to avoid electromagnetic radiation pollution.

"Patchy" Carbon Nanotubes as Efficient Compatibilizers for Polymer Blends

Surface-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become well-established filler materials for polymer nanocomposites. However, in immiscible polymer blends, the CNT-coating is selective toward the more compatible phase, which suppresses their homogeneous distribution and limits harnessing the full potential of the filler. In this study, we show that multiwalled CNTs with a patchy polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) corona disperse equally well in both phases of an incompatible PS/PMMA polymer blend. Unlike polymer-grafted CNTs with a uniform corona, the patchy CNTs are able to adjust their corona structure to the blend phases by selective swelling/collapse of respective miscible/immiscible surface patches. Importantly, the high interfacial activity of patchy CNTs further causes a significant decrease in PMMA droplet size with increasing filler content. The combined effect of compatibilization and homogeneous distribution makes patchy CNTs interesting materials for polymer blend nanocomposites, where next to the compatibilization, a homogeneous filler distribution is important to gain the desired materials property (e.g., reinforcement).

Tailor-Made Distribution of Nanoparticles in Blend Structure toward Outstanding Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Engineering blend structure with tailor-made distribution of nanoparticles is the prime requisite to obtain materials with extraordinary properties. Herein, a unique strategy of distributing nanoparticles in different phases of a blend structure has resulted in >99% blocking of incoming electromagnetic (EM) radiation. This is accomplished by designing a ternary polymer blend structure using polycarbonate (PC), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to simultaneously improve the structural, electrical, and electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI). The blend structure was made conducting by preferentially localizing the multi-wall nanotubes (MWNTs) in the PVDF phase. By taking advantage of "π-π stacking" MWNTs was noncovalently modified with an imidazolium based ionic liquid (IL). Interestingly, the enhanced dispersion of IL-MWNTs in PVDF improved the electrical conductivity of the blends significantly. While one key requisite to attenuate EM radiation (i.e., electrical conductivity) was achieved using MWNTs, the magnetic properties of the blend structure was tuned by introducing barium ferrite (BaFe) nanoparticles, which can interact with the incoming EM radiation. By suitably modifying the surface of BaFe nanoparticles, we can tailor their localization under the macroscopic processing condition. The precise localization of BaFe nanoparticles in the PC phase, due to nucleophilic substitution reaction, and the MWNTs in the PVDF phase not only improved the conductivity but also facilitated in absorption of the incoming microwave radiation due to synergetic effect from MWNT and BaFe. The shielding effectiveness (SE) was measured in X and Ku band, and an enhanced SE of -37 dB was noted at 18 GHz frequency. PMMA, which acted as an interfacial modifier in PC/PVDF blends further, resulting in a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties besides retaining high SE. This study opens a new avenue in designing mechanically strong microwave absorbers with a suitable combination of materials.

Attenuating microwave radiation by absorption through controlled nanoparticle localization in PC/PVDF blends

Nanoscale ordering in a polymer blend structure is indispensable to obtain materials with tailored properties.

An efficient strategy to develop microwave shielding materials with enhanced attenuation constant

PMMA wrapped MWNTs were employed to design microwave shielding materials with enhanced attenuation constant in PC/SAN blends.