Electromagnetic wave shielding and microwave absorbing properties of hybrid epoxy resin/foliated graphite nanocomposites.

The aim of this study is to prepare and characterize foliated graphite nanosheets (FGNs) reinforced composites based on epoxy resin for the electromagnetic wave shielding and microwave absorbing applications. The microstructure of as prepared FGNs and epoxy reinforced with different content of foliated graphite was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of FGNs on thermal stability of composites was examined by thermal gravimetric. It is found that the inclusion of FGNs into the epoxy resin matrix enhances the microstructure core of epoxy resin composites. Static electric properties such as electrical conductivity, carrier mobility, number of charge carriers, and thermoelectric power of composites were studied in details. Dielectric properties of epoxy/FGN composites were characterized as a function of composition and frequency in the range of 1-18 GHz. The electromagnetic wave shielding as a function of frequency of composites was examined and compared with theoretical values. The highest shielding effectiveness was obtained for high foliated graphite loading sample FG40 at frequency of 18 GHz it equals to 62 dB. Finally, the electromagnetic wave properties such as absorption loss and reflection loss as a function of frequency were investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]