Electromagnetic Characterization of a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes–Silver Nanoparticles-Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Nanocomposite in X-Band Frequency
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Abstract
This study presents the electromagnetic (EM) characterization of a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-silver nanoparticles (AgNP)-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hybrid nanocomposite fabricated via the solution mixing technique. Primarily, the structure and morphological properties of the PVA/MWCNT-AgNP hybrid nanocomposite are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The complex permittivity (ϵ*) and permeability (μ*), as well as the electromagnetic scattering parameters are measured using a PNA network analyzer equipped with X-band waveguide. The results showed an enhanced permittivity (ϵ′ ≈ 25) value of the hybrid nanocomposite in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. However, the permeability decreased to almost zero (μ′ ≈ 0.4) since the inclusion of AgNP with an average particle size of 40 nm is not susceptible to magnetization and causes higher magnetic losses (tan δμ) than dielectric losses(tanδϵ). Remarkably, the hybrid nanocomposite reduced transmission of electromagnetic (EM) wave by nearly 60% in comparison to PVA/MWCNT. This is attributed to the enhanced absorption and reflection at the nanotubes, and metal-dielectric interfaces have induced multiple internal reflections owing to the porous structure of the nanocomposite. The prospect of the PVA/MWCNT-AgNP hybrid nanocomposite is favorable as a thin absorbing material for EM shielding applications. © 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
Keywords
Electromagnetic Shielding, Effective Bandwidth, Electric Network Analyzers
Divisions
nanotechnology
Funders
Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University: grant number (R.G.P 2/74/41),University of Malaya: NANOCAT RU2020 and BKS002-2020
Publication Title
ACS Omega
Volume
6
Issue
6
Publisher
American Chemical Society