Enhanced electromagnetic shielding behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube entrenched poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanocomposites

Exceptionally high electromagnetic shielding behavior shown by composites of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PCNT) which showed maximum shielding attenuation of 58 dB in the Ku-band. The electron micrographs confirm the wrapping of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxthiophene) (PEDOT) over multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) resulting in strong interfacial, electronic and space charge polarizations. The EMI shielding results showed that shielding by PCNT composites are mainly due to shielding effectiveness by absorption rather than shielding attenuation by reflection. Complex permittivity and permeability of composites have been calculated using scattering parameters (S11 and S21) based on theoretical calculations given in the Nicolson–Ross–Weir method. The composites were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, and FTIR.