Synthesis and characterization of conducting polyaniline/graphene nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference shielding

Polyaniline (PANI)/graphene (GN) nanocomposites were synthesized by in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. A series of nanocomposites have been synthesized by varying the concentration of functionalized graphene (1%, 3% and 5%). The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by XRD and SEM. The results showed favorable interaction between PANI and GN. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was found to be drastically increased as compared to that of pure PANI at room temperature. Further the conductivity of nanocomposites was also found to be increased with the increase in weight % of GN. Nanocomposites showed semiconducting nature as that of PANI with improved properties for EMI shielding. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of nanocomposites was found to be increased with increasing GN content and it was found to be absorption dominated indicating PANI/GN nanocomposites can be used as lightweight EMI shielding materials to protect electronic devices and components from electromagnetic radiation. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.