Epoxy composites containing cobalt(ii)-porphine anchored multiwalled carbon nanotubes as thin electromagnetic interference shields, adhesives and coatings

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Materials for optical and electronic devices, 2016-01, Vol.4 (2), p.352-361
• Main Authors: Rohini, Rani, K, Lasitha, Bose, Suryasarathi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesives; Coatings; Cobalt; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Polymer matrix composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Shielding; Shields
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/c5tc03098f

Herein a facile strategy has been adopted to design epoxy based adhesive/coating materials that can shield electromagnetic radiation. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were non-covalently modified with an ionic liquid and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21 H ,23 H -porphine cobalt( ii ) (Co-TPP). The dispersion state of modified MWNTs in the composites was assessed using a scanning electron microscope. The electrical conductivity of the composites was improved with the addition of IL and Co-TPP. The shielding effectiveness was studied as a function of thickness and intriguingly, composites with as thin as 0.5 mm thickness were observed to reflect >97% of the incoming radiation. Carbon fibre reinforced polymer substrates were used to demonstrate the adhesive properties of the designed epoxy composites. Although, the shielding effectiveness of epoxy/MWNT composites with or without IL and Co-TPP is nearly the same for 0.5 mm thick samples, the lap shear test under tensile loading revealed an extraordinary adhesive bond strength for the epoxy/IL-MWNT/Co-TPP composites in contrast to neat epoxy. For instance, the lap shear strength of epoxy/IL-MWNT/Co-TPP composites was enhanced by 100% as compared to neat epoxy. Furthermore, the composites were thermally stable for practical utility in electronic applications as inferred from thermogravimetric analysis. Herein a facile strategy has been adopted to design epoxy based adhesive/coating materials that can shield electromagnetic radiation.