title: Tough graphene-polymer microcellular foams for electromagnetic interference shielding.
abstract: Functional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/graphene nanocomposite microcellular foams were prepared by blending of PMMA with graphene sheets followed by foaming with subcritical CO(2) as an environmentally benign foaming agent. The addition of graphene sheets endows the insulating PMMA foams with high electrical conductivity and improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency with microwave absorption as the dominant EMI shielding mechanism. Interestingly, because of the presence of the numerous microcellular cells, the graphene-PMMA foam exhibits greatly improved ductility and tensile toughness compared to its bulk counterpart. This work provides a promising methodology to fabricate tough and lightweight graphene-PMMA nanocomposite microcellular foams with superior electrical and EMI shielding properties by simultaneously combining the functionality and reinforcement of the graphene sheets and the toughening effect of the microcellular cells.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymeric Materials, Department of Polymer Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Hao-Bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Wen-Ge
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Zhixian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Zhong-Zhen
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006244:Hardness; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D006108:Graphite; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate