title: Segregated Hybrid Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Graphene/Magnetite Nanocomposites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.
abstract: Nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate)/reduced graphene oxide (PMMA/rGO) without and with decorated magnetite nanoparticles with a segregated structure were prepared using emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. Various characterization techniques were employed to validate the presence of the nanofillers and the formation of the segregated structure within the nanocomposites. The percolation threshold of the nanocomposites was found to be 0.3 vol %, while a maximum electrical conductivity of 91.2 S·m-1and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 63.2 dB (2.9 mm thickness) were achieved for the PMMA/rGO nanocomposites at a loading of 2.6 vol % rGO. It was also observed that decorating rGO with magnetite nanoparticles (hybrid nanocomposites) led to a tremendous increase in EMI SE. For instance, 1.1 vol % PMMA/rGO nanocomposites indicated an EMI SE of 20.7 dB, while adding 0.5 vol % magnetite nanoparticles enhanced EMI SE to 29.3 dB. The excellent electrical properties obtained for these nanocomposites were ascribed to both superiorities of the segregated conductive structure and magnetic properties of the magnetite nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Farbod
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8812-5638
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arjmand
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Aref Abbasi
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moud
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Uttandaraman
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4124-3917
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sundararaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
authors.forename: Edward P L
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2634-0647
authors.initials: EPL
authors.lastname: Roberts
keywords: electromagnetic interference shielding; hybrid nanocomposite; magnetite nanoparticle; reduced graphene oxide; segregated structure