Comparison of Carbon-Nanoparticle-Filled Poly(Butylene Succinate-co-Adipate) Nanocomposites for Electromagnetic Applications

Abstract

Electrostatic dissipative (ESD), anti-static (AS), and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are commonly based on commodity fossil-fuel-based plastics. This, in turn, contributes to ever-growing non-biodegradable plastic pollution. Graphene nanoplatelets (GN), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), nanostructured carbon black (NCB), and amorphous carbon black (CB) were utilized as nanofillers to prepare bio-based and biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) nanocomposites. Solvent-cast composites were prepared with 1.1 to 30.0 vol.% nanoparticle loading. The literature mainly focuses on relatively low loadings; therefore, for this research, filler loadings were increased up to 30 vol.% but the maximum loading for NCB and CB loadings only reached 17.4 vol.% due to a lack of dimensional stability at higher loadings. The composites were characterized using tensile testing, volumetric and surface conductivity measurements, thermal conductivity measurements, dielectric spectroscopy in the microwave region, and transmittance in the terahertz range. Tensile tests showed excellent carbon filler compatibility and enhanced tensile strength for loadings up to 5 vol.% (up to 20 vol.% for MWCNT). The highest thermal conductivity values were reached for the MWCNT filler, with the 30.0 vol.% filled composite reaching 0.756 W/mK (262% increase over PBSA). All fillers were able to produce composites that yielded volume conductivities above 10−10 S/m. Composites with MWCNT, GN, and NCB inclusions above the percolation threshold are suitable for EMI applications in the microwave and THz frequency range.

Poly(Butylene Succinate) Hybrid Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Iron Oxide Nanocomposites: Electromagnetic Shielding and Thermal Properties

“…Thus, aiding in the densification of the MWCNT-filled polymer phase, it causes percolation according to Essam’s percolation theory [ 53 ]. Nanocomposite electrical percolation has been elaborated on in our previous paper on PBSA-carbon nanocomposites [ 54 ]. In composites near the percolation threshold, electron transport and conduction are caused mainly by electron tunnelling over small distances.…”

Multilayered Composites with Carbon Nanotubes for Electromagnetic Shielding Application

“…It was demonstrated that the aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes has an enormous impact on electromagnetic interference (EMI) composites with these inclusions [ 15 , 16 ]. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the morphological control of the carbon network structure plays a crucial role in their electromagnetic properties [ 11 , 17 ]. The percolation threshold in polymeric composites with other carbon nanoinclusions can also be very low.…”

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) and thermoplastic polyurethane composites filled with carbon black‐polypyrrole for electromagnetic shielding applications

“…Traditional shielding materials are based on metallic sheets due to their high magnetic permeability, high electrical conductivity, and high number of free electron charge carriers that leads to very effective EMI shielding properties 2,15 . However, their shielding mechanism is based on the reflection of the electromagnetic radiation and they generally suffer from poor mechanical flexibility, high weight and density, electrochemical corrosion, and expensive processing techniques 1,2,6,8,16,17 . On the other hand, intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) and electrically conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) are getting much attention as EMI shielding materials due to their shielding mechanism mainly based on the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation and its dissipation in the conductive filler particles, which is interesting for numerous applications 2,8,12,15,17,18 .…”

“…2,15 However, their shielding mechanism is based on the reflection of the electromagnetic radiation and they generally suffer from poor mechanical flexibility, high weight and density, electrochemical corrosion, and expensive processing techniques. 1,2,6,8,16,17 On the other hand, intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) and electrically conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) are getting much attention as EMI shielding materials due to their shielding mechanism mainly based on the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation and its dissipation in the conductive filler particles, which is interesting for numerous applications. 2,8,12,15,17,18 ECPCs offer also the advantages of light weight, ease of processing, corrosion resistance, and low cost.…”

“…1,2,6,8,16,17 On the other hand, intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) and electrically conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) are getting much attention as EMI shielding materials due to their shielding mechanism mainly based on the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation and its dissipation in the conductive filler particles, which is interesting for numerous applications. 2,8,12,15,17,18 ECPCs offer also the advantages of light weight, ease of processing, corrosion resistance, and low cost. [2][3][4][5][6]8,13,17,19 ECPCs containing intrinsically conducting polymers, carbonaceous fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon black, graphene, and carbon fibers, have been widely studied as EMI shielding materials.…”