Characterization of electromagnetic shielding fabrics obtained from carbon nanotube composite coatings

• Novel shielding fabrics were produced by coating and carbon nanotube composites.
• Shielding of 95–99.99% (15–40 dB) and 100–200 μm film thickness were reported.
• Carbon nanotube was the most influential synergistic conductive material.
• Theoretically predictable, customizable, thin and porous fabrics were obtained.
• Carbon nanotube and polypyrrole yielded high specific surface area materials.

The present paper reports novel electromagnetic shielding (EM) fabrics produced by knife-over-roll coating and using combinations of carbon nanotube (CNT), conductive polymer and metal nanoparticles. The materials are analyzed by EM shielding and surface resistivity methodologies, scanning electron microscopy and BET surface area. The synergy among the conductive materials, percolation threshold, EM shielding behaviors and theoretical predictions are also investigated. The coating thickness obtained was 100–200 μm, and the EM range tested was 200–1000 MHz. EM shielding fabrics of 95–99.99% (15–40 dB) were obtained, and CNT was found to be the most effective material. The reported methodology and materials are suitable for the production of customized, flexible, lightweight and porous conductive fabrics for either EM shielding or functional electronic applications, including high specific surface area conductive materials.

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