Electromagnetic interference shielding behavior of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) [PTT]/multiwalled carbon nanotube [MWCNT] composites having varying amounts of MWCNTs were fabricated with an aim to investigate the potential of such composites as an effective light weight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material in the frequency range of 12.4–18 GHz (Ku-band). PTT/MWCNT composite with shielding effectiveness (SE) of 36–42 dB was obtained at 10% (w/w) MWCNT loading. Shielding mechanism was studied by resolving the total SE into absorption (SEA) and reflection loss (SER). PTT/MWCNT composite showed absorption dominated shielding; thus it can be used as microwave, radar absorbing and stealth material. The effect of MWCNT loadings on electrical conductivity (σ) and dielectric properties of PTT and the correlation among conductivity, tan δ, absorption loss and reflection loss were also studied.

► First time PTT/MWCNT composites were studied for EMI shielding application.
► High shielding effectiveness was obtained at low CNT loading.
► PTT/MWCNT composites having 5–10 wt% MWCNT can be used as an effective, light weight EMI shielding material.