Copper-Coated Reduced Graphene Oxide Fiber Mesh-Polymer Composite Films for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Abstract

Expected to become mainstream in the electronics industry, flexible electronics still face major challenging issues. For polymeric-based flexible electronic substrates in particular, these challenges include a lack of electromagnetic shielding capability and poor heat dissipation. Here, we report a highly flexible and thermally conductive macroscopic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer film embedded with a copper-coated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) fiber mesh. The rGO fibers are assembled into 3D fiber meshes and electroplated with micrometer-thick copper coatings, displaying excellent electrical and thermal conductivities. Oriented in the horizontal and perpendicular directions within the PDMS polymeric matrix, the fiber mesh serves as a highly electrically and thermally conductive backbone through the in-plane direction. Meanwhile, the fiber mesh also effectively shields electromagnetic interference in the X-band without causing thermal damage. The macroscopic film remains electrically insulated in the through-plane direction. Utilizing both the favorable thermal and electrical properties of the graphene fiber-based mesh and the flexibility of the PDMS matrix, our film may exhibit potential for flexible electronics applications such as wearable electronic thermal management and flexible microwave identification devices.

Structural Design Strategies of Polymer Matrix Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding: A Review

“…The results show that the graphene/epoxy composite shows a σ of 0.1 S cm −1 and an EMI SE of 21 dB when the content of graphene is 15 wt%. Li et al [ 68 ] embedded a copper-plated graphene fiber mesh into the PDMS film, and the results showed that the σ and EMI SE of PDMS film reached 3.21 × 10 5 S m −1 and 74 dB, respectively. Gu et al [ 69 ] prepared the silver nanowire (AgNW)/CNF composite film by the combination of vacuum-assisted filtration and hot pressing.…”

Graphene and Iron Reinforced Polymer Composite Electromagnetic Shielding Applications: A Review

“…It was observed that being lightweight and nonconductive, graphene-based composites can absorb 99.99% of electromagnetic waves, whereas most metal-based composites simply redirect the radiations. Li et al [ 127 ] formed a copper-coated RGO@PDMS polymer composite by the Hummers method, where a shielding effectiveness of 74.2 dB was achieved in the X-band frequency range. Ni et al [ 128 ] synthesized a graphene aerogel (GA) with PDMS polymer, where shielding effectiveness of 60 dB was achieved within the frequency range of 2–18 GHz.…”

Preparation of polysiloxane foam with graphene for promoting electromagnetic interference shielding performance and thermal stability

“…Research on graphene and polymer foam composites has been reported in recent years, Li embedded a copper-plated graphene fiber mesh into the PDMS film, and the results showed that the EMI SE of PDMS film reached 74 dB. 11 Zhang prepared the PMMA/graphene nanoplates (GNPs)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites with porous structures by using MWCNTs and GNPs and the results show that the EMI SE of the porous composites reaches 36 dB when the contents of MWCNTs and GNPs are 4 and 1.5 wt%, respectively, which is much higher than that of the homogeneous composites were prepared. 12 Eswaraiah prepared the functionalized graphene (f-G)/PVDF composites with a porous structure by chemical foaming using functionalized graphene (f-G) as the conductive filler and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the polymer matrix.…”