Greener Composites for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications

Different greener composites for electromagnetic shielding applications were designed. The composites combine a recycled polyethylene and a bio-based poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) blend with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as conductive filler. Three different strategies were used to enhance the dispersion of carbon nanotubes within the polymer matrix: the incorporation of a grafted polyethylene during the melting process, the incorporation of two ionic liquids (1-Butyl-3-methylimizdazolium acetate and 1-Butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium tetrafluoro-borate) and the use of reactive extrusion. The investigation focused on examining the thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of the new composites, emphasizing the interplay between rheological and electrical properties. The results demonstrate the composites efficacy in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and its scalability for industrial production. In addition, this new composites represent a significant advancement for industrial applications demanding environmental friendly polymers with comparable functionalities to conventional counterparts.