Conducting Polymer-Based Materials for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Applications

Abstract

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a phenomenon that occurs in systems, especially in the radio-frequency band emitted by motors and power supplies, that needs to be shielded in order to avoid disturbances in communication signals. Conductive polymer composites have received increased interest from both the scientific community and industry, with a special focus on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Electrically conducting polymers and polymer-based conducting composites have been used in shielding applications because they have distinct advantages over conventional metals, such as light weight, corrosion resistance, and flexibility. Carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, as compared to conventional carbon fillers, have outstanding structural, mechanical, and electrical properties, such as smaller diameters, larger aspect ratios, and much higher conductivities and strengths. The use of these carbon nanostructures as fillers in the polymeric composites allows systems with low filler loadings to provide the desired electrical and EMI shielding properties.