Highly flexible and ultra-thin Ni-plated carbon-fabric/polycarbonate film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xing, Di; Lu, Longsheng; Teh, Kwok Siong; Wan, Zhenping; Xie, Yingxi; Tang, Yong
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 132(2018)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Electromagnetic interference shielding -- Electroless Ni plating -- Composite film -- Sandwiched structure -- Carbon fiber -- Nonwoven fabric; Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: We report in this work a highly flexible, mechanically robust, and ultra-thin Ni-plated nonwoven carbon fabric/polycarbonate (CF/PC/Ni) film that exhibits outstanding electromagnetic interface (EMI) shielding performance. This composite film is fabricated through a four-step process — fabrication of nonwoven carbon fiber/polypropylene/polyethylene (CEF-NF) fabric, catalytic seeding and sensitization, electroless Ni plating, and lamination with polycarbonate. The as-fabricated ultra-thin (0.31 mm) CF/PC/Ni film exhibits superior EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) of 72.7 dB, which is close to 3× that of an identical film with no Ni plating (25 dB)—demonstrating Ni plating can substantially improve the EMI shielding performance. Compared with similar lightweight EMI-shielding materials, this CF/PC/Ni film shows a superior EMI-SE at lower density and smaller thickness (1376.1 dB cm 2 g −1 ). 40 min of Ni plating (yielding a Ni thickness of 1.075 μm), followed by 2 MPa of laminating pressure at 190 °C of laminating temperature were found to provide optimal EMI shielding performance. Based on reliability study, the CF/PC/Ni film retains 96.36% of its EMI-SE after 5000 cycles of mechanical bending and 50 h of heating. Therefore, the CF/PC/Ni film exhibits outstanding flexibility, good mechanical strength, and remarkable electrical properties, making it an excellent EMI shielding material. Graphical abstract: Image Highlights: A Ni-plated carbon-fabric/polycarbonate film shows excellent EMI shielding property at lower weight and thickness.. A laminating parameter making this film exhibit optimal EMI shielding performance were determined. This film exhibits outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness and good mechanical strength. The electrical conductivity of this film increases as Ni layer thickness increases. This film exhibits excellent mechanical and thermal reliability after bending and heating tests.