Fabrication Process and Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Characterization of a CNT/Ni/Epoxy Nanocomposite

Since carbon nanotube (CNT) was first discovered in 1991 it has been considered as a viable type of conductive filler for electromagnetic wave absorption materials in the GHz range. In this paper, pearl necklace structure CNT/Ni nano powders were fabricated by a polyol process as conductive fillers Compared to synthesized CNT. pearl necklace Ni-decorated CNT increased the electrical conductivity by an order of 1 due to the enhancement of the Ni conductive network. Moreover, the decorated Ni particles prevented the agglomeration of CNTs by counterbalancing the Van der Walls interaction between the CNTs. A CNT/Ni nanocomposite showed a homogeneous dispersion in an epoxy-based matrix. This enhanced physical morphology and electrical properties lead to an increase in the loss tangent and reflection loss in the CNT/Ni/Epoxy nanocomposite compared to these characteristics of a CNT/Epoxy nanocornposite in range of 8-12 GHz. The electromagnetic wave absorption properties of CNT/Ni/epoxy nanocomposites will provide enormous opportunities for electronic applications where lightweight EMI shielding or electro-magnetic wave absorption properties are necessary.