Preparation and Characterization of Microwave-absorption of Sarulla North Sumatra Zeolite and Ferric Oxide-filled Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Abstract

Microwave-absorptive polymeric composite materials are becoming important to protect interference of any communication sy stems due to the increase in the use of microwave-inducing devices. In this work, the microwave-absorptive polyurethane composites are prepared using natural zeolites of Sarulla North Sumatra and commercial ferric-oxide as fillers. Weight ratio of the natural zeolite to ferric oxide were varied (18:2; 16:4; 14:6; 12:8 and 10:10) by weight. The fillers are prepared using ball milling technique and characterized using Particle Size Analyzer for particle size distribution. The nanocomposites, prepared using in-situ reaction of polyethylene glycol and toluene diisocyanate, is characterized for physical and mechanical properties using tensile strength, thermal properties with TGA techniques, as well as morphological and chemical properties using scanning electron microscopy. Composition and loading of the nanofillers against polyurethane matrices is 20% by weight. Microwave-absorption properties of the nanocomposites is characterized using 8-12 GHz frequency. Tensile strengths of the natural zeolite-ferric oxides polyurethane nanocomposites shows higher values when matrices filled with lower ferric-oxide, which could be due to the nanozeolites have functioned as reinforcement for the polyurethane matrix through polar-polar interaction between the filler surfaces with the matrices. The microwave absorption properties, which investigated by Vector Network Analyzer, of the nanocomposites filled in polyurethane with the ratio of nanozeolite to ferric oxide filler of 12:8 shows reflection loss of -13.2 dB. This condition was observed at 11.1 GHz.

Nano-additives and their effects on the microwave absorptions and mechanical properties of the composite materials

“…The integration of 1 and 2 wt% of CNP increased the Nano zeolite: ferric oxide 18:2-----16:4-----14:6-----12:8-----10:10------7.3 dB@9.9 GHz -12.2 dB@9.9 GHz -9 dB@11.1 GHz -13.2 dB. @11.1 GHz -2 dB@11.1 GHz [63] 2 SnO 2 /MWCNTs composites Iron 16.2%, ---29.2%, ---39.8%, ---48.8%,-----13 dB@8.5 GHz with 2 mm thickness -12.5 dB@12 GHz with 1.5 mm -22.5 dB@13.7GB with 1.5 mm -44.5 dB@15.44 GHz with 1.5 mm [73] 3 (MWCNT) composites Fe. 5% 10% 20%…”

“…Gultom et al [63] used Natural zeolites which contains 80.3% SiO 2 , 14.19% Al 2 O 3 , 0.91% Fe 2 O 3 and ferric oxide as fillers in the microwave absorptive polyurethane composites. Ferriteoxide particles have excellent microwave absorption properties, however, the ratio of zeolite to ferric-oxide influenced the optimal microwave absorption.…”

Preparation and characterization of a flexible microwave absorber based on MnNiZn ferrite (Mn0.1Ni0.45Zn0.45Fe2O4) in a thermoset polyurethane matrix

“…The nanocomposite absorbs microwave at X-band frequency. The optimized absorber has a thickness of 5 mm, reflection loss of − 13.2 dB at 11.1 GHz [17]. Hsiung Penga et al prepared Ni 0.5x Zn 0.5x CO 2x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0 or 0.05) ferrite and mixed it with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer.…”