Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Designing of multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced low density polyethylene nanocomposites for suppression of electromagnetic radiation

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High aspect ratio multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were prepared by solvent casting followed by compression molding technique. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of these composites was investigated in the frequency range of 12.4–18 GHz (Ku-band) for the first time. The experimental results indicate that the EMI-SE of these composites is sensitive to the MWCNT loading. The average value of EMI-SE reaches 22.4 dB for 10 wt% MWCNT-LDPE composites, indicating the usefulness of this material for EMI shielding in the Ku-band. The main reason for improved SE has been attributed to significant improvement in the electrical conductivity of the composites by 20 orders of magnitude, i.e., from 10−20 for pure LDPE to 0.63 S/cm for MWCNT-LDPE, which is three order of magnitude higher than the previous reports for MWCNT-LDPE composites. Differential scanning calorimetry of the MWCNT-LDPE composites showed around 37% improvement in the crystalline contents over pure LDPE samples which resulted into enhanced thermal stability of the composites. The thermal decomposition temperature of LDPE is shifted by 40 °C on addition of 5 wt% MWCNT. The studies therefore show that these composite can be used as light weight, thermally stable EMI shielding, and antistatic material.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Saleh MH, Sundararaj U (2009) Electromagnetic interference shielding mechanisms of CNT/polymer composites. Carbon 47:1738–1746

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das NC, Khastgir D, Chaki TK, Chakraborthy A (2000) Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon black and carbon fibre filled EVA and NR based composites. Composites A 31:1069–1081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endo M, Takeuchi K, Hiraoka T, Furuta T, Kasai T, Sun X, Kiang CH, Dresselhaus MS (1997) Stacking nature of graphene layers in carbon nanotubes and nanofibres. J Phys Chem Solid 58:1707–1712

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu M, Yu Y, Xie JJ, Wang LP, Fan MY, Jiang SL, Zeng YK (2009) Significant influence of film thickness on the percolation threshold of multiwall carbon nanotube/low density polyethylene composite films. Appl Phys Lett 94(012904):1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorrasi G, Sarno M, Di Bartolomeo A, Sannino D, Ciambelli P, Vittoria V (2007) Incorporation of carbon nanotubes into polyethylene by high energy ball milling: Morphology and physical properties. J Polym Sci B 45:597–606

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Li N, Ma Y, Du F, Li F, He X, Lin X, Gao H, Chen Y (2007) The influence of single-walled carbon nanotube structure on the electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of its epoxy composites. Carbon 45:1614–1621

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim HM, Kim K, Lee CY, Joo J, Cho SJ, Yoon HS, Pejaković DA, Yoo JW, Epstein AJ (2004) Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding of multiwalled carbon nanotube composites containing Fe catalyst. Appl Phys Lett 84:589–591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li N, Huang Y, Du F, He X, Lin X, Gao H, Ma Y, Li F, Chen Y, Eklund PC (2006) Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of single-walled carbon nanotube epoxy composites. Nano Lett 6:1141–1145

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Bai G, Huang Y, Ma Y, Du F, Li F, Guo T, Chen Y (2007) Reflection and absorption contributions to the electromagnetic interference shielding of single-walled carbon nanotube/polyurethane composites. Carbon 45:821–827

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mathur RB, Chatterjee S, Singh BP (2008a) Growth of carbon nanotubes on carbon fibre substrates to produce hybrid/phenolic composites with improved mechanical properties. Compos Sci Technol 68:1608–1615

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mathur RB, Pande S, Singh BP, Dhami TL (2008b) Electrical and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced PMMA and PS composites. Polym Compos 29:717–727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNally T, Po¨tschke P, Halley P, Murphy M, Martin D, Bell SEJ, Brennan GP, Bein D, Lemoine P, Quinn JP (2005) Polyethylene multiwalled carbon nanotube composites. Polymer 46:8222–8232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olmedo L, Hourquebie P, Jousse F (2001) In: Nalwa HS (ed) Handbook of organic conductive molecules and polymers. Wiley, Chichester, p 367

  • Pande S, Singh BP, Mathur RB, Dhami TL, Saini P, Dhawan SK (2009) Improved electromagnetic interference shielding properties of MWCNT–PMMA composites using layered structures. Nanoscale Res Lett 4:327–334

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phang SW, Tadokoro M, Watanabe J, Kuramoto N (2008) Synthesis, characterization and microwave absorption property of doped polyaniline nanocomposites containing TiO2 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. Synth Met 158:251–258

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saini P, Choudhary V, Singh BP, Mathur RB, Dhawan SK (2009) Polyaniline–MWCNT nanocomposites for microwave absorption and EMI shielding. Mater Chem Phys 113:919–926

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh BP, Singh D, Mathur RB, Dhami TL (2008) Influence of modified MWCNTs on the mechanical, electrical, thermal and morphological properties of polyimide nanocomposites. Nanoscale Res Lett 3:444–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valentino O, Sarnoa M, Rainone NG, Nobilea MR, Ciambellia P, Neitzertb HC, Simon GP (2008) Influence of the polymer structure and nanotube concentration on the conductivity and rheological properties of polyethylene/CNT composites. Physica E 40:2440–2445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Jing X (2005) Intrinsically conducting polymers for electromagnetic interference shielding. Polym Adv Technol 16:344–351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang S, Lozano K, Lomeli A, Foltz DH, Jones R (2005) Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of carbon nanofiber/LCP composites. Composites A 36:691–697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuen SM, Ma CCM, Chuang CY, Yu KC, Wu SY, Yang CC, Wei MH (2008) Effect of processing method on the shielding effectiveness of electromagnetic interference of MWCNT/PMMA composites. Compos Sci Technol 68:963–968

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao D, Lei Q, Qin C, Bai X (2006) Melt process and performance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced LDPE composites. Pigment Resin Technol 35:341–345

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng W, Wong SC (2003) Electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of PMMA/expanded graphite composites. Compos Sci Technol 63:225–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Prof. R.C. Budhani, Director NPL, to accord his permission to publish the results. Authors would like to thank Mr. K.N. Sood for their support in carrying out SEM.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics and Engineering of Carbon, Division of Materials Physics and Engineering, National Physical Laboratory (CSIR), New Delhi, 110012, India

    B. P. Singh,  Prabha, Tejendra Gupta, Parveen Garg, Gaurav Kumar, Indresh Pande, Shailaja Pande, R. K. Seth & R. B. Mathur

  2. Polymer & Soft Materials, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Parveen Saini & S. K. Dhawan

Authors
  1. B. P. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prabha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Parveen Saini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tejendra Gupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Parveen Garg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Gaurav Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Indresh Pande
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Shailaja Pande
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. R. K. Seth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. S. K. Dhawan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. R. B. Mathur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. B. Mathur.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Singh, B.P., Prabha, Saini, P. et al. Designing of multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced low density polyethylene nanocomposites for suppression of electromagnetic radiation. J Nanopart Res 13, 7065–7074 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0619-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0619-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation