Electromagnetic interference shielding response and rheological behavior of lightweight nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene and Al nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and different content of Al nanoparticles have been prepared in order to gain knowledge of their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capability. This potential has been analyzed from attenuation upon reflection measurements at microwave frequency range. Moreover, shielding characteristics have been checked by Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and correlated to the ones achieved by X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. Very promising results have been obtained, with an excellent balance between shielding efficiency and sample weight. Hence, these materials are potentially good alternatives to replace metals for this application, avoiding electromagnetic environmental pollution. The effect of incorporation of Al nanoparticles on the iPP processing properties has been additionally evaluated by a rheological study at a very broad frequency range.

Effect of iPP molecular weight on its confinement within mesoporous SBA-15 silica in extruded iPP−SBA-15 nanocomposites

“…It has been named as rheological percolation. At longer time scales, i.e., much smaller frequencies, this network could finally be relaxed by different mechanisms as the adsorbed polymeric molecules are released [11]. Similar response has been described [45] whereas other distinct ones have been also reported in iPP based composites [46].…”

“…At practical level, iPP is often filled with organic or inorganic particles to enhance mechanical response and reduce costs [2][3][4][5][6]. For instance, iPP can be filled with metallic powders to provide functionality [7][8][9][10][11]. Moreover, pristine and modified silicas have been frequently added to iPP to boost other specific characteristics [12][13][14][15][16] that allow spreading out its application fields.…”

Effect of Graphene Nanofibers on the Morphological, Structural, Thermal, Phase Transitions and Mechanical Characteristics in Metallocene iPP Based Nanocomposites

“…Incorporation of additives for modifying crystallization rate in order to optimize transparency, and for controlling the type of crystalline polymorph developed [8,9]. Furthermore, fillers are sometimes added to decrease the final price or to promote certain functionalities, such as permeability to gases [10,11], antimicrobial characteristics [12], electromagnetic interference features [13], or mechanical reinforcement [14,15].…”