A strategy to achieve enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding at ultra-low concentration of multiwall carbon nanotubes in PαMSAN/PMMA blends in the presence of a random copolymer PS-r-PMMA. Issue 32 (14th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bose, Suryasarathi; Sharma, Maya; Bharati, Avanish; Moldenaers, Paula; Cardinaels, Ruth
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 32(2016)
• Page Start: 26959
• Page End: 26966
• Publication Date: 2016-03-14
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra27976c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Mediated by the PS-r-PMMA, the MWNTs were mostly localized at the interface and bridged the PMMA droplets. This strategy led to enhance EMI shielding effectiveness at 0.25 wt% MWNTs through multiple scattering from MWNT covered droplets. Abstract : A unique strategy was adopted to achieve an ultra-low electrical percolation threshold of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) (0.25 wt%) in a classical partially miscible blend of poly-α-methylstyrene- co -acrylonitrile and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PαMSAN/PMMA), with a lower critical solution temperature. The polymer blend nanocomposite was prepared by standard melt-mixing followed by annealing above the phase separation temperature. In a two-step mixing protocol, MWNTs were initially melt-mixed with a random PS-r-PMMA copolymer and subsequently diluted with 85/15 PαMSAN/PMMA blends in the next mixing step. Mediated by the PS-r-PMMA, the MWNTs were mostly localized at the interface and bridged the PMMA droplets. This strategy led to enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness at 0.25 wt% MWNTs through multiple scattering from MWNT-covered droplets, as compared to the blends without the copolymer, which were transparent to electromagnetic radiation.