Polystyrene/MWCNT/graphite nanoplate nanocomposites: efficient electromagnetic interference shielding material through graphite nanoplate-MWCNT-graphite nanoplate networking

Graphene Nanoplatelet/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polypyrrole Hybrid Fillers in Polyurethane Nanohybrids with 3D Conductive Networks for EMI Shielding

This work reports the preparation of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid fillers via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization with the addition of a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. These hybrid fillers were incorporated into polyurethane (PU) to prepare GNP/MWCNT/PPy/PU nanohybrids. The electrical conductivity of the nanohybrids was synergistically enhanced by the high conductivity of the hybrid fillers. Furthermore, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) was greatly increased by interfacial polarization between the GNPs, MWCNTs, PPy, and PU. The optimal formulation for the preparation of GNP/MWCNT/PPy three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures was determined by optimization experiments. Using this formulation, we successfully prepared GNP/PPy nanolayers (two-dimensional) that are extensively covered by MWCNT/PPy nanowires (one-dimensional), which interconnect to form GNP/MWCNT/PPy 3D nanostructures. When incorporated into a PU matrix to form a nanohybrid, these 3D nanostructures form a continuous network of conductive GNP-PPy-CNT-PPy-GNP paths. The EMI SE of the nanohybrid is 35-40 dB at 30-1800 MHz, which is sufficient to shield over 99.9% of electromagnetic waves. Therefore, this EMI shielding material has excellent prospects for commercial use. In summary, a nanohybrid with excellent EMI SE performance was prepared using a facile and scalable method and was shown to have great commercial potential.

Printable Carbon Nanotube-Liquid Elastomer-Based Multifunctional Adhesive Sensors for Monitoring Physiological Parameters

Developing a printed elastomeric wearable sensor with good conformity and proper adhesion to skin, coupled with the capability of monitoring various physiological parameters, is very crucial for the development of point-of-care sensing devices with high precision and sensitivity. While there have been previous reports on the fabrication of elastomeric multifunctional sensors, research on the printable elastomeric multifunctional adhesive sensor is not very well explored. Herein, we report the development of a stencil printable multifunctional adhesive sensor fabricated in a solvent-free condition, which demonstrated the capability of having good contact with skin and its ability to function as a temperature and strain sensor. Functionalized liquid isoprene rubber was selected as the matrix while carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (c-CNTs) were used as the nanofiller. The selection of the above model compounds facilitated the printability and also helped the same composition to demonstrate stretchability and adhesiveness. A realistic three-dimensional microstructure (representative volume element model) was generated through a computational framework for the current c-CNT-liquid elastomer. Further computational simulations were performed to test and validate the correlation between electrical responses to that of experimental studies. Various physiological parameters like motion sensing, pulse, respiratory rate, and phonetics detection were detected by leveraging the electrically resistive nature of the sensor. This development route can be extended toward developing different innovative adhesives for point-of-care sensing applications.

E-Skin Development and Prototyping via Soft Tooling and Composites with Silicone Rubber and Carbon Nanotubes

The strategy of embedding conductive materials on polymeric matrices has produced functional and wearable artificial electronic skin prototypes capable of transduction signals, such as pressure, force, humidity, or temperature. However, these prototypes are expensive and cover small areas. This study proposes a more affordable manufacturing strategy for manufacturing conductive layers with 6 × 6 matrix micropatterns of RTV-2 silicone rubber and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT). A novel mold with two cavities and two different micropatterns was designed and tested as a proof-of-concept using Low-Force Stereolithography-based additive manufacturing (AM). The effect SWCNT concentrations (3 wt.%, 4 wt.%, and 5 wt.%) on the mechanical properties were characterized by quasi-static axial deformation tests, which allowed them to stretch up to ~160%. The elastomeric soft material's hysteresis energy (Mullin's effect) was fitted using the Ogden-Roxburgh model and the Nelder-Mead algorithm. The assessment showed that the resulting multilayer material exhibits high flexibility and high conductivity (surface resistivity ~7.97 × 10⁴ Ω/sq) and that robust soft tooling can be used for other devices.

Transparent and Flexible Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Film Using ITO Nanobranches by Internal Scattering

A transparent and flexible film capable of shielding electromagnetic waves over a wide range of frequencies (X and K_u bands, 8-18 GHz) is prepared. The electromagnetic wave shielding film is fabricated using the excellent transmittance, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of indium tin oxide (ITO), a representative transparent conductive oxide. The inherent mechanical brittleness of oxide ceramics is overcome by adopting a nanobranched structure. In addition, mechanical stability is maintained even after repeated bending experiments (200 000 times). The produced transparent and flexible shielding film is applied to practical GHz devices (Wi-Fi and LTE devices), and signal sensitivity is confirmed to decrease. Therefore, it can be widely applied to various transparent and flexible electronic devices.

MXene Surface on Multiple Junction Triangles for Determining Osteosarcoma Cancer Biomarker by Dielectrode Microgap Sensor

Background

In recent years, nanomaterials have justified their dissemination for biosensor application towards the sensitive and selective detections of clinical biomarkers at the lower levels. MXene is a two-dimensional layered transition metal, attractive for biosensing due to its chemical, physical and electrical properties along with the biocompatibility.

Materials and Methods

This work was focused on diagnosing osteosarcoma (OS), a common bone cancer, on MXene-modified multiple junction triangles by dielectrode sensing. Survivin protein gene is highly correlated with OS, identified on this sensing surface. Capture DNA was immobilized on MXene by using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as an amine linker and duplexed by the target DNA sequence.

Results

The limitation and sensitivity of detection were found as 1 fM with the acceptable regression co-efficient value (y=1.0037⨰ + 0.525; R²=0.978) and the current enhancement was noted when increasing the target DNA concentrations. Moreover, the control sequences of single- and triple-mismatched and noncomplementary to the target DNA sequences failed to hybridize on the capture DNA, confirming the specificity. In addition, different batches were prepared with capture probe immobilized sensing surfaces and proved the efficient reproducibility.

Conclusion

This microgap device with Mxene-modified multiple junction triangles dielectrode surface is beneficial to quantify the survivin gene at its lower level and diagnosing OS complication levels.

Preparation and Characterization of Highly Elastic Foams with Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Rubber Filled with Barium Titanate/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Hybrid

Hybrid ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) nanocomposite foams were produced via compression molding with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption efficiency. The hybrid filler, consisting of 20 phr ferroelectric barium titanate (BT) and various loading fractions of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), synergistically increased the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption characteristics of the EPDM foam. Accordingly, while the EPDM foam filled with 20 phr BT was transparent to the EM wave within the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band), the hybrid EPDM nanocomposite foam loaded with 20 phr BT and 10 phr MWCNTs presented a total shielding effectiveness (SE) of ~22.3 dB compared to ~16.0 dB of the MWCNTs (10 phr). This synergistic effect is suggested to be due to the segregation of MWCNT networks within the cellular structure of EPDM, resulting in enhanced electrical conductivity, and also high dielectric permittivity of the foam imparted by the BT particles. Moreover, the total SE of the BT/MWCNTs loaded foam samples remained almost unchanged when subjected to repeated bending due to the elastic recovery behavior of the crosslinked EPDM foamed nanocomposites.

L. M. A carbon nanotube reinforced functionalized styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer as an advanced electrode material for efficient energy storage applications

In the wake of the global energy crisis, innovative materials are being developed to alleviate the energy shortage by utilizing the available sources sustainably.

An ultra-thin carbon-fabric/graphene/poly(vinylidene fluoride) film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding

Highly conductive carbon-based fibrous composites have become one of the most sought-after components in the field of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding due to their excellent comprehensive performance. In this work, a flexible nonwoven fabric consisting of carbon fibers (CFs) and polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) core/sheath bicomponent fibers (ESFs), known as CEF-NF, is introduced into the graphene (GE)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposite obtained by a solution casting method to fabricate a CEF-NF/GE/PVDF film. Disparate microstructures can be clearly observed in CEF-NF/GE/PVDF films with different graphene contents. Thanks to an internal porous network structure formed when the graphene content is high, this film exhibits better electrical conductivity. In the frequency range of 30-1500 MHz, this film can achieve a significantly high EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) value of about 48.5 dB at tiny thickness and density (1731.40 dB cm² g^-1), which are far better than many competitive materials. Moreover, this film exhibits adequate tensile strength and excellent flexibility, as the film's structural form can be retained even after multiple folding processes. In addition, by combining two-dimensional (2D) graphene and one-dimensional (1D) CF, the CEF-NF/GE/PVDF film achieves a remarkable in-plane thermal conductivity of 25.702 W m^-1 K^-1, making it an exceptional heat conductor. In summary, our results demonstrate that CEF-NF/GE/PVDF film is an excellent EMI shielding material that is light weight, highly flexible, and mechanically robust with outstanding thermal conductivity, which positions it superbly for applications in next-generation commercial portable electronics.

Highly Sensitive and Large-Range Strain Sensor with a Self-Compensated Two-Order Structure for Human Motion Detection

Constructing flexible, high-sensitivity strain sensors with large working ranges is an urgent task in view of their widespread applications, including human health monitoring. Herein, we propose a self-compensated two-order structure strategy to significantly enhance the sensitivity and workable range of strain sensors. Three-dimensional printing was employed to construct highly stretchable, conductive polymer composite open meshes, in which the percolation network of graphene sheets constitutes a deformable conductive path. Meanwhile, the graphene layer coated on the open mesh provides an additional conductive path that can compensate spontaneously for the conductivity loss of the percolation network at large strains, through new conductive paths formed by the graphene sheets in the coating layer and the inner networks. At strains lower than 20%, the sliding and disconnection of graphene sheets coated on the mesh surface largely enhance the sensitivity of the sensor, a 20 times increase as opposed to that of the non-two-order structure sensor. The resulting sensor reveals high gauge factors (from 18.5 to 88 443) in a strain range of 0-350% and the exceptional capability to monitor a wide range of human motions, from the subtle pulse, acoustic vibration to breathing and arm bending.

The preparation of carbon nanofillers and their role on the performance of variable polymer nanocomposites

New synergic behavior is always inspiring scientists toward the formation of nanocomposites aiming at getting advanced materials with superior performance and/or novel properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, fullerene, and graphite as carbon-based are great fillers for polymeric materials. The presence of these materials in the polymeric matrix would render it several characteristics, such as electrical and thermal conductivity, magnetic, mechanical, and as sensor materials for pressure and other environmental changes. This review presents the most recent works in the use of CNT, graphene, fullerene, and graphite as filler in different polymeric matrixes. The primary emphasis of this review is on CNT preparation and its composites formation, while others carbon-based nano-fillers are also introduced. The methods of making polymer nanocomposites using these fillers and their impact on the properties obtained are also presented and discussed.

Double-layer metal mesh etched by femtosecond laser for high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding window

An excellent transparent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding window is proposed and demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. The window is composed of double layers of Au–Ni composite mesh, separated by the quartz-glass substrate. The simulation exhibits that the shielding effectiveness (SE) of the double-layer mesh can be improved by increasing the thickness of the substrate in the low frequency range far below the first interfere valley. The measured SE of the proposed structure reaches over 37.61 dB covering an ultra-wide frequency ranging from 150 MHz to 5 GHz, with a maximal SE of 75.84 dB at 3.58 GHz, while the average optical transmittance of the double-layer mesh maintains ∼76.35% at 400–900 nm. Moreover, femtosecond laser direct writing processing technology is used to manufacture the double-layer metal grids, the fabricated grids are not easy to be scuffed off and has a longer operating life. Such a high-performance EMI shielding window has great potential applications in precision optical monitoring instrument and military devices.

An excellent transparent EMI shielding window is proposed and demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. The results show that the SE reaches over 37.61 dB at 150 MHz to 5 GHz, while the average visible transmittance remains at ∼76.35%.

Oxidized multiwall carbon nanotube/silicone foam composites with effective electromagnetic interference shielding and high gamma radiation stability

Oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (o-MWCNTs) were introduced into silicone foam to fabricate an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material with high gamma radiation stability by solution casting followed by foaming and cross-linking reactions. The as-prepared o-MWCNT/silicone foam composites exhibited excellent mechanical strength and effective EMI shielding properties with superior EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) ranging from 26 to 73 dB at a 0.5-6.4 mm thickness with 30 wt% o-MWCNTs in the Ku band. Moreover, the composites have good gamma radiation stability, showing relatively stable EMI shielding properties and an improvement of hardness and pressure resistance after gamma irradiation with the absorbed dose of 500 kGy. These results indicate that the o-MWCNT/silicone foam composite is an attractive candidate for EMI shielding in some ionizing radiation environments.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance of lightweight metal decorated carbon nanostructures dispersed in flexible polyvinylidene fluoride films

This work demonstrates the enhanced EMI shielding performance of metal/carbon nanomaterials incorporated in a PVDF matrix with better electrical properties.

Synergistic Enhancement of the Percolation Threshold in Hybrid Polymeric Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphite Nanoplatelets

Synergistic effect causes significant decreasing of the percolation threshold in the ternary polymer composites filled with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) in comparison with binary ones. Enhancement of the percolation threshold strongly depends only on the relative aspect ratios of the filler particles due to the formation of the bridges between puddles of the different filler components. Conditions of both appearance and fading away of the synergistic effect are investigated depending on the relative morphology of CNT or GNP components of the filler. Different lateral sizes, aspect ratios, and volume concentrations of both CNT and GNP in the selected ternary composites were considered. Conditions of the effective substitution of GNP with CNT and vice versa in equal volume concentrations without enlarging of the percolation threshold were established. The results are obtained numerically using the Monte Carlo simulation of the percolation threshold of the different ternary composites.

Absorption-Dominated Electromagnetic Wave Suppressor Derived from Ferrite-Doped Cross-Linked Graphene Framework and Conducting Carbon

To minimize electromagnetic (EM) pollution, two key parameters, namely, intrinsic wave impedance matching and intense absorption of incoming EM radiation, must satisfy the utmost requirements. To target these requirements, soft conducting composites consisting of binary blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were designed with doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a three-dimensional cross-linked graphene oxide (GO) framework doped with ferrite nanoparticles. The doping of α-MnO₂ onto the MWCNTs ensured intrinsic wave impedance matching in addition to providing conducting pathways, and the ferrite-doped cross-linked GO facilitated the enhanced attenuation of the incoming EM radiation. This unique combination of magnetodielectric coupling led to a very high electromagnetic shielding efficiency (SE) of -37 dB at 18 GHz, dominated by absorption-driven shielding. The promising results from the composites further motivated us to rationally stack individual composites into a multilayer architecture following an absorption-multiple reflection-absorption pathway. This resulted in an impressive SE of -57 dB for a thin shield of 0.9-mm thickness. Such a high SE indicates >99.999% attenuation of the incoming EM radiation, which, together with the improvement in structural properties, validates the potential of these materials in terms of applications in cost-effective and tunable solutions.