Premium
Flexible papers derived from polypyrrole deposited cellulose nanofibers for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding in gigahertz frequencies
Author(s) -
Gopakumar Deepu A.,
Pai Avinash R.,
Pottathara Yasir Beeran,
Pasquini Daniel,
Morais Luís Carlos,
Khalil H.P.S. Abdul,
Nzihou Ange,
Thomas Sabu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.50262
Subject(s) - electromagnetic shielding , materials science , polypyrrole , reflection loss , nanofiber , absorption (acoustics) , microwave , cellulose , composite material , electromagnetic interference , conductive polymer , electrical conductor , electromagnetic radiation , attenuation , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , polymer , polymerization , composite number , chemical engineering , optics , telecommunications , computer science , engineering , physics
An array of highly conductive, lightweight and flexible cellulose nanopapers as effective attenuators of electromagnetic radiations within 8.2–12.4 GHz (X band) were formulated via in situ polymerization of pyrrole monomers on to cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). It is quite obvious that the free hydroxyl groups on the surface of CNFs facilitate the formation of intense intermolecular hydrogen bonding with PPy which is envisaged for its excellent electromagnetic shielding performance with an average shielding effectiveness of ca. –22 dB (>99% attenuation) at 8.2 GHz for a paper having 1 mm thickness. The fabricated papers displayed a predominant absorption mechanism (ca. 89%) rather than reflection (ca. 11%) for efficiently attenuating electromagnetic radiations, which has a considerable importance in the modern telecommunication sector. Thus, the designed PPy/CNF papers would replace the conventional metal‐based shields and pave way for the development of green microwave attenuators functioning via a strong absorption mechanism. The PPy/CNF nanopapers exhibited a DC conductivity of 0.21 S/cm, a prime requisite for the development of highly efficient electromagnetic shields. Undoubtedly, such nanopapers can be employed in wide range of applications such as electrodes for supercapacitors and other freestanding flexible paper‐based devices.