Enhanced microwave absorption behavior of polyaniline-CNT/polystyrene blend in 12.4-18.0 GHz range

Blends of polystyrene with polyaniline (PANI) coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were designed which inherit dielectric and magnetic attributes from PANI and MWCNT respectively. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy image shows the PANI coating over MWCNT containing entrapped Fe catalyst. These blends show absorption dominated total shielding effectiveness (SET) of -45.7 dB (>99.99% attenuation) in the 12.4-18.0 GHz range, suggesting their utility for making efficient microwave absorbers. The enhanced SET was ascribed to optimization of conductivity, skin-depth, complex permittivity and permeability. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental shielding measurements was also observed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.