Lightweight Epoxy/Cotton Fiber-Based Nanocomposites\nwith Carbon and Fe₃O₄ for Electromagnetic Interference\nShielding

Abstract

Cotton fiber (CF)-based\nelectroconductive papers were prepared\nby facile aqueous dispersion and drying processes combined with carbon\nnanotubes (CNTs) or graphene nanosheets (GNPs). To enhance the electromagnetic\ninterference (EMI) shielding performance of the manufactured nanocomposites,\nthe electroconductive papers were soaked with epoxy resin, which cooperated\nwith the inner sprayed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles.\nThe EMI shielding effectiveness of Epoxy/CF-30-Fe₃O₄-30GNPs reached 33.1 dB, of which over 85.0% is attributed\nto absorption, which is mainly believed to be caused by the combination\nof GNPs and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles due to their\nspecial structures and synergetic effects. Moreover, the infiltration\nof epoxy between the randomly distributed loose CFs and the multiple\nreflections inside the interconnected networks could also help to\nimprove the EMI shielding performance of GNP-added samples. The prepared\nlightweight and stiff Epoxy/CF-30-Fe₃O₄-30GNP\ncomposites have promising applications in civil or military fields.