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A review on recent progress in polymer composites for effective electromagnetic interference shielding properties – structures, process, and sustainability approaches

Rajesh Kumar Bheemaa, Gopu Ja, Krithika Bhaskarana, Akshat Vermaa, Murthy Chavalib and Krishna Chaitanya Etika*a
aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani, Pilani, Rajasthan 333 031, India. E-mail: etika.krishna@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in
bOffice of the Dean Research, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Survey No, 124, Paud Rd, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, India

Received 12th July 2024 , Accepted 25th September 2024

First published on 26th September 2024


Abstract

The rapid proliferation and extensive use of electronic devices have resulted in a meteoric increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI), which causes electronic devices to malfunction. The quest for the best shielding material to overcome EMI is boundless. This pursuit has taken different directions, right from materials to structures to process, up to the concept of sustainable materials. The emergence of polymer composites has substituted metal and metal alloy-based EMI shielding materials due to their unique features such as light weight, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior electrical, dielectric, thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties that are beneficial for suppressing the EMI. Therefore, polymer nanocomposites are an extensively explored EMI shielding materials strategy. This review focuses on recent research developments with a major emphasis on structural aspects and processing for enhancing the EMI shielding effectiveness of polymer nanocomposites with their underlying mechanisms and some glimpses of the sustainability approaches taken in this field.


1 Introduction

Electronic communications technology has significantly improved over the years, and a variety of electrical devices are now widely employed in several sectors such as communications, civic, aircraft, military, and others.1 Furthermore, these electronic devices emit electromagnetic (EM) waves continuously during operation, resulting in electromagnetic interference (EMI) between electrical appliances that has a detrimental impact on the operational accuracy of electronic equipment in the electronics industry.2 However, EMI has become a new form of pollution due to the proliferation of electronic devices in the past few decades. The effects of this EMI can cause service interruption, data loss, permanent damage to equipment, and failure.3 Owing to such issues, the researchers investigated several methods for preparing EMI shielding materials in the quest for the perfect shielding material.

Metals are excellent conductors of electricity and may reflect EM waves; hence, metals are widely used in EMI shielding applications.4–7 However, the shielding mechanism in metals is dominated by the reflection of EM waves, which is not always a desirable option.4,5 In addition, relatively large densities and high production costs limit their extensive EMI shielding applicability.8,9 Due to these limitations of metals researchers focused on using polymers for EMI shielding applications because of their properties such as light weight, flexibility, low density, ease of processing, chemical and thermal stability, and most importantly, scalability. The polymers mostly allow the EMI waves to pass through the surface for absorption phenomena to happen rather than reflection, which occurs in metals.10 Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) represent a class of materials that possess a unique combination of electrical, thermal, dielectric, magnetic, and/or mechanical properties.4–7,11 PNC characteristics may be tailored for EM wave suppression depending on the type of polymer and filler utilized. Due to their appealing properties, polymer nanocomposites have been considered an alternative to metals for EMI shielding applications.4,5,12

Furthermore, polymer-based composites containing lossy dielectric materials and/or magnetic materials are used to eliminate EMI and protect electronic devices from unwanted EM waves through absorption and reflection. In general, absorption dominant shielding materials are preferable for equipment over reflection, because reflection can cause additional interference to nearby equipment.13 To mitigate these problems caused by signal interference, efficient shielding materials are required to defend the normal operation of electronic systems. Furthermore, EMI shielding materials should have desirable characteristics such as low density, large absorption capability, thin, light weight, and wide-range frequency bandwidth.14 In addition, the selection of materials will also play an important role in designing EMI shielding materials. Recent studies have demonstrated the growing demand for low-cost and efficient EMI shielding materials as a consequence of the greater usage of electronic devices and electrical systems in industrial applications in the microwave frequency range.15–18 Furthermore, several studies on thin, lighter weight, effective shielding materials suitable for large bandwidth absorption have been reported.19–23 Furthermore, effective polymeric EMI shielding materials containing carbon-based fillers and metal-based fillers, and conducting polymers have been reported in the literature.4–7,11,24,25 However, poor dispersion, phase separation, and high filler content are the main challenges in these studies. Owing to such limitations, various structural and processing strategies have been developed to achieve efficient EMI shielding materials.26–30 This paper provides a comprehensive overview of structural and processing strategies for polymer-based composites for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

1.1 Scope of the review

Polymer-based EMI shielding materials have been developed using a variety of processing methods, as reported in the literature. Initially, EMI shielding materials are prepared by adding essential filling materials such as conductive, magnetic, and dielectric materials, either alone or in combination, into the polymer matrix. Again, this strategy challenged to achieve the desired EMI shielding performance due to poor dispersion, phase separation within the matrix, and other drawbacks such as high filler content.26–30 However, the excessive filler content results in the expected shielding but reduces the mechanical properties of the composites.12 These challenges have resulted in refinement and renaissance of the research approach in polymer nanocomposites toward various structural strategies of nanomaterials and processing strategies of composites. This study also includes glimpses of research exploring biodegradable, longer lasting, and self-healing materials that nurture sustainability in the EMI shielding materials. This review mainly focuses on recent research developments, with a particular emphasis on structural aspects and processing in enhancing the EMI shielding effectiveness of polymer nanocomposites and their underlying mechanisms, as well as some glimpses into the sustainability approaches included in this field. The outcome of this study will help to understand the aspects and material properties such as electrical conductivity (σ), magnetic permeability (μ), dielectric permittivity (ε), and shield thickness (t) that influenced the EMI shielding performance as shown in Fig. 1.
image file: d4na00572d-f1.tif
Fig. 1 Factors affecting the EMI shielding characteristics of the polymer composites.

2 The basic theory of EMI shielding mechanism

The EMI shielding effectiveness is the primary metric for determining the performance of an EMI shielding material, which evaluates the EM wave's attenuation by the shield. However, the attenuation of incident EM waves is primarily achieved by a combination of reflection, and/or absorption, which exists due to mobile charge carriers and electric and magnetic dipoles within the material.31 When an EM wave is incident on the surface of the shielding material, an EM wave's energy from the shield will be partly reflected and partly absorbed. The residual energy is neither reflected nor absorbed by the shield but is the energy that emerges from the shield, as shown in Fig. 2.
image file: d4na00572d-f2.tif
Fig. 2 Pictorial depiction of the mechanism of an EMI shielding material.

The attenuation of EM waves occurs mainly by three major mechanisms, namely reflection (R), absorption (A), and multiple internal reflections (MR). A two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) recorded the scattering parameters such as S11, S12, S21, and S22 which can be correlated to the reflection, absorption, and transmission coefficients.

 
image file: d4na00572d-t1.tif(1)
 
image file: d4na00572d-t2.tif(2)
 
A = 1 − RT (3)
where PT (ET), PR (ER), and PI (EI) are the power densities of the transmitted, reflected, and incident EM waves, respectively.

The total EMI shielding effectiveness (SET) of a particular material is defined as the efficiency of the barrier material in attenuating EM waves, and it includes losses due to EM waves' reflection and absorption and is expressed in terms of SET31 as follows:

 
SET (dB) = SER + SEA + SEM (4)
 
SET (dB) = SER + SEA = 10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(1/T) = 10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(1/S212) (5)
 
SER = 10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(1/(1 − R)) = 10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(1/(1 − S112)) (6)
 
SEA = −10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(T/(1 − R)) = −10[thin space (1/6-em)]log(S212/(1 − S112)) (7)
where SEA, SEM, and SER are the shielding effectiveness (SE) due to absorption loss, multiple internal reflection loss and reflection loss. Generally, SEM was negligible when SET was more than 10 dB.2,3 SEM can be related to the microwave scattering effect caused by the distribution of conductive and magnetic particles, dielectric polarization, and interfacial polarization, which helps to reduce the intensity of electromagnetic waves entering the material due to the impedance mismatch between air and the material surface.32

3 Structure-based strategies of nanomaterials for the fabrication of efficient EMI shielding materials

The electromagnetic theory explains that an impedance match between the shielding material's surface and the incident EM wave results in greater wave penetration. To ensure effective wave interaction, the shield should have adequate electrical conductivity.4,6,7 Subsequently, a conductive material and/or a hybrid of magnetic–dielectric materials were introduced.33–38 The dual benefit of the nanofiller produces additional effects such as high multiple-interface polarisation, all of which are useful in increasing shielding effectiveness.4,7 Previously, several researchers published numerous studies on structure-based strategies for the fabrication of EMI shielding materials, as seen in Table 1. The numerous strategies developed with different structures, such as hybrids (e.g., Fe3O4 decorated on graphene nanoparticles or multiwalled nanotubes), core–shell (e.g., Fe3O4@MWNT), and layered structures, contain various types of nanofillers. A good EMI shielding material should have good complex permeability and permittivity. In the composites, combining these used nanofillers has improved the dielectric loss and the magnetic loss. The increased EMI shielding effectiveness in composites containing structure-based nanoparticles can be attributed to the combined effects of dielectric losses coupled with the magnetic losses arising due to the presence of structure-based nanoparticles.49–51 The structure-based strategies can significantly increase the complex permittivity and permeability of polymer composites, thereby increasing the shielding performance of EMI shielding materials.49–51 Furthermore, the structural refinement of nanofillers includes aspects such as doping/substitution in the entire matrix or one of the fillers, enhancing the current property, or introducing new aspects of additional benefit for the fabrication of an EMI shielding material. Henceforth, this review explains the various types of structure-based composites and their mechanisms adopted to achieve maximum EMI shielding. The main interest in this review paper discusses the role of hybrid nanoparticle combinations, the different layered structure, gradient structures, doped structures, and structures such as foams, aerogels and core–shell structures. The fundamental principles of segregated and template structures are also discussed.
Table 1 EMI shielding values of conductive hybrid structure composites
Materials Filler content Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
rGO-CF 0.75 wt% 7.13 37.8 8.2–12.4 39
GNP-MWCNT 10 wt% 9.5 47 20–40 40
CNT/CF 0.35 wt% 0.8 × 10−3 42 8.2–12.4 41
MNPs@MWCNTs 4 wt% 1070 30–60 0.5–12.0 42
SSF-CNT 3.5 vol% 100 47.5 8.2–12.4 43
Polyamide-6/CNT 0.3 wt% 100 25 8.2–12.4 44
PANI/CNT 25 wt% 1907 27.5–39.2 12.4–18 45
PCL-MWNCT 0.25 vol% 4.8 60–80 0.04–40 46
Copper nanowires-thermally annealed graphene/epoxy 7.2 wt% 120.8 47 8.2–12.4 47
PDMS/0.43 wt% rGO/0.33 wt% AgNW 1210 34.1 8.2–12.4 48


3.1 Hybrid structures

3.1.1 Conductive hybrid structures. The first approach was to create a hierarchical structure containing materials with similar or distinct impedance properties that can attenuate incident EM waves. These structures include combinations of two or more conductive materials in the polymer composite. These hybrid structures were synthesized by physical mixing, synthesis of one filler in the presence of another, or co-synthesis of two or more fillers, which leads to the growth of a decorated structure of one or more fillers on the surface.39,41 The dual benefit of nanofillers produces additional effects such as high multiple-interface polarisation, all of which are useful in increasing shielding effectiveness. A good EMI shielding material should have good complex permittivity. In the composites, combining these used nanofillers has improved the dielectric loss. The increased EMI shielding in composites containing structure-based nanoparticles can be attributed to the effects of dielectric losses arising due to the presence of structure-based nanoparticles (Fig. 3). Previously, several researchers published numerous studies on hybrid structures and used them to fabricate EMI shielding materials, as seen in Table 1.
image file: d4na00572d-f3.tif
Fig. 3 Schematic representation of the proposed EMI shielding mechanism in PUGCNT nanocomposites. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2017).40
3.1.2 Magnetic and conductive materials' hybrid structures. The second approach is to employ a hybrid structure with a combination of magnetic or dielectric materials and a conductive filler in the polymer composite for the enhancement of EMI shielding efficiency. Subsequently, the addition of conductive materials along with magnetic or dielectric materials generates the dual benefit of nanofillers and produces additional effects such as high multiple-interface polarisation, all of which are useful in increasing shielding effectiveness. In addition, it is well known that two parameters, i.e., magnetic loss and dielectric loss, primarily influence EM wave absorption. In EMI shielding materials, combining a magnetic material with conductive nanofillers has improved the dielectric loss and magnetic loss. In order to create induced magnetic and dielectric losses, a suitable EMI shielding material should have high complex permeability and permittivity. Complex permittivity and permeability are caused by dipole polarization, electronic polarization, natural resonance, magnetic dipoles, magnetic losses, eddy, and hysteresis losses, in which crystal structure, size, and morphology may play a vital role. The increased EMI shielding in composites containing structure-based nanoparticles can be attributed to the combined effects of dielectric losses coupled with the magnetic losses arising from structure-based nanoparticles (Fig. 4).4,7 Therefore, many researchers have focused specifically on the complex hybrid structure of nanofillers to fabricate an efficient EMI shielding material, which is listed in Table 2.
image file: d4na00572d-f4.tif
Fig. 4 A schematic illustration of the distribution of the conductive filler in PVDF/CNTs/Ni@CNTs flexible composite films before and after heat treatment. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2019).52
Table 2 EMI shielding values of conductive and magnetic hybrid structure composites
Materials Synthesis method Conductivity (S cm−1) Thickness (mm) Polymer matrix SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PANI/15 wt% BaFe12O19 (BF) Co-precipitation 0.34 2 PANI 19.7 2–18 53
PANI/28 wt% Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4     2 PANI 6–20 0.03–1 54
3% Graphene decorated with nickel NPs Co-precipitation 3.10 × 10−4 1 Polybenzoxazine >20 8.2–12.4 55
10 wt% CNT/12 wt% Ni@CNT Magnetic field-supported solvothermal process 2.57 0.5 PVDF 51.4 12.4–18 52
rGO-FeCo-diamine monomer 4,4′-diamino diphenyl methane, MWCNT In situ reduction using a solvothermal process 1 × 10−3   PVDF 41 12.4–18 56
10 wt% Fe3C-carbon Carbonization of melamine and iron salt     PVDF 35 14–18 57
90[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]10 ratio of Fe3O4 and carbon black (CB)   10   Natural rubber 14.7–23.1 1–12 58
0.25 vol% Fe3O4-MWCNT     5 Polycarbonate (PC)/PVDF 38 18 59
0.25 vol% Fe3O4-MWCNT     5 PC/PVDF 30–36 8–18 60
0.15 vol% NiFe2O4-MWCNT     5 PC/PVDF 19.7 2–18 60
0.28 vol% CoFe2O4-MWCNT     5 PC/PVDF 6–20 0.03–1 60
Modified Gr nanoplatelets and MWCNT-Fe3O4       Polyurethane 27.5 8–12.4 61
Fe3O4-CNT   9 × 10−3 1.1 PVDF 32.7 18–26 62
Fe3O4-GNP   2 × 10−2 1.1 PVDF 35.6 18–26 62
rGO@Fe3O4-MWCNT   1.8 × 10−3 5 PC/polystyrene >30 8–18 63
0.5 wt% rGO deposited with carbon fiber-Fe3O4-9 wt% modified rGO   11.04 7 Epoxy matrix >30 8.2–26.5 64
rGO-Fe3O4   7 × 10−4   PC matrix 28 8–18 65
rGO-Fe3O4   4 × 10−4   PC matrix 33 8–18 65
4 wt% CNT-5 wt% rGO-Fe3O4       PC matrix 43.5 8–12.4 66
45 wt% NiFe2O4-5 wt% rGO   2.16 × 10−12 2 Propylene 28.5 5.8–8.2 67
NiCoFe2O4 (NCF)-CB   1.513 × 10−4 1.5 Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) 27 8–18 68


3.1.3 Magnetic–dielectric–conductive hybrid structures. The third approach is to create a hierarchical structure in the polymer composite containing a combination of magnetic and dielectric materials along with a conductive filler. In these hierarchical structures, decorating magnetic nanoparticles on dielectric materials or vice versa facilitated a protective encapsulation of decorated nanoparticles on the surface of other nanoparticles to prevent agglomeration of the nanoparticles.69 Previously, researchers reported that magnetic nanoparticles decorated on dielectric nanoparticles have better dielectric properties than dielectric nanoparticles decorated on magnetic nanoparticles because of increased O-vacancy concentration (oxygen vacancy concentration refers to a defect caused by a decrease in oxygen content, leading to an increased number of oxygen vacancies. These vacancies significantly influence the structural, physical, and electrical properties of the material in dielectric nanoparticles of larger grains and O-vacancy-induced enhancement in interfacial polarisation between the dielectric nanoparticles and magnetic nanoparticles, respectively.70–73

Recent studies have investigated the use of dielectric materials, including SnO2, TiO2, ZrO2, ZnO, Al2O3, carbon materials, and polymers, as a dielectric source to impart dielectric losses and their use alone or in combination with magnetic and conductive materials.74 For example, Biswas et al. synthesized graphene oxide sheets decorated with BaTiO3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are combined with modified MWNT and embedded in the polycarbonate (PC)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The nanocomposite reported SET values of 32.5–35 dB over the frequency range of 12–18 GHz. It can be observed that the composites demonstrated an increase in SET values due to the synergistic effect of hybrid lossy materials and selective localization of graphene oxide (GO) in PC and MWNT in PVDF, which retains the electrical conductivity of composites.74 The authors also fabricated composites through multilayer assembly, having outer layers with a modified BaTiO3/Fe3O4 co-doped GO/modified MWCNT/PC/PVDF composite and inner layers with MWCNT/PVDF modified in the composite.74 The authors also reported that the SET values of composites fabricated through multilayer assembly further increased to 46 dB over the frequency range of 12–18 GHz.

Jin et al. synthesized a hybrid structure made of graphene nanoplates along with Fe3O4 decorated on BaTiO3 (GFBT) in a two step hydrothermal process. The BaTiO3 particles of 20 nm are primarily coated on the Fe3O4 nanospheres forming the hybrid structure of Fe3O4 and BaTiO3. The hybrid structure containing BaTiO3/Fe3O4 nanoparticles of about 200 nm diameter anchored on the surface of graphene was used along with MWNT in methyl vinyl silicone rubber. The composite containing 16 wt% filler loading with a ratio of 1[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]5 of MWNT[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]GFBT exhibited SET values of 26.7 dB in the frequency range of 1–20 GHz for a sample thickness of 2.6 mm.75 Sambyal et al. reported an encapsulated polypyrrole composite with the combination of rGO, Fe3O4 and barium strontium titanate (BST) nanoparticles. The BST/rGO/Fe3O4 (BRF) hybrid was synthesized by co-precipitation. In this process, the precursors rGO and BST nanoparticles were added to the precursor solution of Fe3O4, thus forming the hybrid structure of nanoparticles. The hybrid composite showed an EMI SE of around 48 dB for a thickness of 2.5 mm in the X-band frequency range (Fig. 5).76


image file: d4na00572d-f5.tif
Fig. 5 Schematic representation of a possible mechanism of EMI shielding in the PBRF composite. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2018).76

3.2 Layered structures

The layered structures provide ultralight, low density, flexible, scalable, and highly conductive micrometer-thick EMI shields that can be made using standard polymer processing methods for flexible, wearable, and smart electronics. The production of multifunctional EMI shields is the major challenge to be addressed. The industries require EMI shields that not only limit the detrimental impacts of EM waves but also have exceptional mechanical and thermal properties.77,78 The second major challenge is the necessity to manufacture EMI shields that absorb a large amount of the incoming EM waves. Furthermore, several research studies have only focused on the development of highly conductive EMI shields that rely heavily on EM wave reflections. However, this strategy is undesirable for military and medical applications that demand a high level of EM wave absorption with minimum reflections. Indeed, EM waves reflected from a conductive EMI shield can serve as a secondary source of EMI, affecting the operation of neighbouring electronics.

The manufacturing of multilayer EMI shields has recently been suggested as a potential strategy to decrease reflection and increase EM wave absorption. A multilayer structure comprising suitable nanomaterials and polymers was used to create multifunctional EMI shields with excellent EMI shielding properties. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated in several investigations that a layered structure of conductive and magnetic materials may significantly improve the absorption component of the shielding and, to a large degree, the overall EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of developed structures. This study concisely described the main ideas of EMI shielding, as well as the underlying shielding mechanisms of multilayer shields, and then provided a complete evaluation of fascinating multilayer shield research.

The current state-of-the-art is to prepare a multilayer structure EMI shielding material with softness, durability, rapid thermal dissipation, and desirable resilience and endows the composites with excellent shielding effectiveness.79 Layered structures, such as sandwich structures, have been proven to be an effective strategy for attenuating EM waves. Furthermore, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a reliable process for making thin-film materials, which is used to build the layered structure composites required for EMI shielding applications. Therefore, this process was utilized to manufacture multilayer structured coatings for high-efficiency EMI shielding.79 The multilayer structure, comprising various conductive materials with different impedances or conductive and/or magnetic materials, creates unique interfaces among the materials that generate multiple internal reflections for EM waves, thereby boosting EMI shielding performance.

In addition, a few efforts have been made to produce highly efficient multilayer composites for EMI shielding applications. These studies reported that multiple internal reflections, along with prevailing shielding mechanisms, impedance mismatch, and dielectric losses contribute to the improvement of the shielding effectiveness. The preparation methods for producing thin-film composites in the form of multilayer stacks have been developed, and considerable work has already been published and is listed in Table 3. Layered structure composites are categorized based on a physical assembly of layers, self-assembled layered or in situ layered structures with different combinations of fillers and different matrices (Fig. 6).

Table 3 The layered structure composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness values
Materials Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PP-MWCNT/PP-MA/10 wt% PVA-2 wt% MWCNT 1 0.03 36.7 1–2 80
PP-MWCNT/PP-MA/10 wt% PVA-2 wt% Gr sheets 1 21 24.5 1–2 80
Cellulose/PET oxide-CNT 0.15 20 35 8–12 81
PPEK/MWNT 11 39 61.5 8–12 82
MWNT/PMMA 0.3 1.5 40 8.2–12.4 83
SWNT/cellulose 0.03 40 12–18 84
PVDF/GNP-Ni-CNT 0.6 0.15 46.4 12.4–18 85
T-ZnO/Ag/WPU 0.25 63[thin space (1/6-em)]500 87 8.2–12.4 86
GO/PHDDT 0.02–4 37.92 8–12 87
CNT/BN/rubber 1.4 98 31.38 8–12 88
PVDF-MWCNT-Mn-Fe3O4/Ni-C-PVDF 0.6 58 12–18 89
PC/PVDF with MWCNT-Fe3O4 0.9 1.1 × 10−4 64 12–18 90
PVDF/CoNi/MWNT 0.95 1 41 20–40 91
Ni@nylon mesh/PP 2.5 2.26 50.6 8–12 92
PC/ethyl methyl acrylate/MWCNT/GNP 1.91 × 10−1 34 8.2–12.4 37
PANICNPS 10 7.6 × 10−1 10–20 8 93
Fe3O4@rGO/T-ZnO/Ag/WPU 0.5 22[thin space (1/6-em)]700 87.2 8–12.4 94
FeCo@rGO/Ag/WPU 0.3 1428.57 50.5 2–18 95
FeCo@rGO/Ag/NWF/WPU 0.1 60[thin space (1/6-em)]000 77.1 2–18 96
Silicon rubber/Ag@HGMs/Fe3O4@CNT 2 279.3 59.39 8–12.4 97
FeCo@rGO/EbAg/WPU 84.8 8–12.4 98



image file: d4na00572d-f6.tif
Fig. 6 Schematic of electromagnetic microwave dissipation in the PVA/MXene multilayered films. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2020).78

3.3 Gradient/graded structures

EMI shielding materials that are lightweight, flexible, and readily functionalized offer greater application possibilities in a wide range of applications such as portable electronics and wearable materials. To achieve this, gradient layered structures have been created by layering polymer nanocomposites and increasing or decreasing the concentration of fillers layer by layer from the EM wave incident layer.6 This gradient structure strategy can facilitate the creation of an extremely efficient EMI shielding material with low reflection. However, this gradient structure is mostly constrained by the manufacture of films and solid composites; few studies have been undertaken on creating gradient structures for composites using simple protocols (Fig. 7).
image file: d4na00572d-f7.tif
Fig. 7 (a) EMI shielding mechanism of the Fe3O4@rGO/MWCNT/WPU composite. (b) Polarization relaxation loss mechanism of the interface between Fe3O4@rGO/WPU and MWCNT/WPU. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2020).99

Xu et al. have prepared flexible waterborne polyurethane (WPU) composite films by developing gradient structures as the density difference among rGO@Fe3O4 and T-ZnO/Ag nanoparticles.94 These gradient structures demonstrated significant EMI shielding performance of 87 dB with as low as 39% reflection power. The reflection power value of the Fe3O4@rGO/MWCNT/WPU composites may be reduced to 27%.94 This suggested that the gradient structure containing both electric and magnetic materials reduced their reflection power in the gradient structure by regulating rGO content. H. J. Im et al. designed a multilayer graded structure by incorporating fillers of GNP and Ni in the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. Firstly, the Ni was reduced onto GNP and then incorporated into PMMA.100 The gradient structure consisted of 0.83 mm thick three layers, where the top layer containing the concentration of GNP/Ni filler loading increased by 20 wt%. The intermediate layer contains 30 wt% filler loading, and the bottom layer contains 40 wt% filler loading. The gradient structure exhibited an EMI SE value of 61 dB over the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz. The gradient structure has demonstrated 3 orders higher thickness than a monolayer of 2.5 mm thickness containing 30 wt% GNP/Ni filler loading. The authors attributed the abrupt increase in filler loading by 10 wt% to have helped to develop a conductive network structure between layers in the direction of propagation of EM waves. It can create multiple additional internal reflections between the stacked layers. It can also be observed that the top layer containing lower filler loading supports better impedance matching and reduces surface reflections. It can enhance the absorption of EMI waves in the gradient structure.100 A. Sheng et al. designed a conductive gradient structure for reducing reflections in the hybrid system.99 The gradient structure was constructed by three layers of Fe3O4@rGO. The rGo filler loading was increased from the top layer to the bottom layer in the gradient structure and the final layer containing MWNT in the WPU matrix. The gradient structure exhibited an EMI SE value of 35.9 dB for the composite containing the 11.2 wt% Fe3O4@rGO-30 wt% MWNT-WPU composite within the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz.99 The composites containing gradient structures have enhanced the EMI SE value and are listed in Table 4.

Table 4 Gradient structure composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
GNP/Ni/PMMA 2.5 61 8–12 100
WPU/Fe3O4@rGO/MWCNT 0.8 3.75 35.9 8–12 99
3 Layers of SWCNT/vinylidene fluoride 1.12 −6 35 101
Ti3SiC2-γ-Al2O3/SiC 46 1000 50 8.2–12.4 102
CNT/SiO2 5 −30 8–12 103
Fe/Al-Fe/Fe 1 0.16 70–80 0.03–1.5 104


3.4 Doped structures

The doping of EMI shielding materials and their enhancement strategies can be divided into three categories: (i) doping excellent conductive nanofillers, (ii) increasing the loading content of nanofillers and (iii) approaching the homodispersity of nanofillers in the polymer matrix. Despite substantial research on the fabrication of EMI shielding materials, the true potential of doped structures for this use has yet to be investigated. The doping of nanofillers such as graphene helps to retain the sp2 electronic structure by increasing the electrical conductivity of doped structures.105 Currently, n-type doping of carbon-based nanofillers such as graphene with heteroatoms such as nitrogen was proposed as a viable method for recovering graphene's electronic properties. Furthermore, sulfur is a comparatively recent n-type dopant, and its ability for applications apart from electrochemistry has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Zhou et al. and Denis et al. found that S-doped graphene produces a thiophene-like structure that has a favorable effect on graphene's magnetic and electronic properties.106–108 This review reported that doped nanofillers in a laminated structure exhibit considerably larger EMI shielding effectiveness than the undoped laminate at minimal thicknesses. This observation is attributed to the n-doping effect of nanofillers, which improves the electrical conductivity of doped structures (Fig. 8). The composites containing doped nanostructures have enhanced the EMI SE value and are listed in Table 5.
image file: d4na00572d-f8.tif
Fig. 8 Schematic representation of the microwave attenuation mechanism in RGO/PANI/BNSF nanocomposites. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2019).109
Table 5 Doped structure composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
Ti3C2Tx/c-PANI 0.04 2440 36 8–12 110
RGO/PANI/BNSF 2.90 50.5 2–18 111
p-TSA/PANI/GNPs 1.5 57.5 14.5 8–12.4 112
PANI/CSA-coated CNF 0.088 38.5 30 0–15 113
MWCNTs/sub-SF/PANI 5 36 8–18 114
PC/sub-G/MWCNT 5 6.1 × 10−2 33 8–18 65
N2-doped graphene nanosheet – epoxy 2.4 40 8–12.4 115
Fe3O4/CCTO/P-gC3N 1 30 8–12.4 116
PANI/Ni-Cd-ferrite 2.3 4470 42.7 8–12.4 117
Silicone rubber/POE/IL-MWCNT 1.2 0.14 25 8–12.4 118
TPU/sub-G 1 10 25 8–12.4 119
SBR/IL-MWCNT 5 10 35 2–18 120
PS/IL-MWCNT 1 0.01 7 8–12.4 121
Pyrrole/Nd-Co 2 15 8–12.4 122


3.5 Aerogel composites

Aerogels have emerged as one of the most interesting materials of the late 20th century. The innovative processing technique yields aerogels with remarkably high porosity, large specific surface area, low density, high dielectric strength, and low thermal conductivity, making it possible to utilize these materials in various applications such as aerospace, biomedical devices, energy storage, EMI shielding materials, sensors, and coatings.123 Since Kistler invented the aerogel with silica, aerogels have been created from a wide range of materials, that includes metal oxides, biopolymers, resins, etc.124 Furthermore, a range of nanomaterials can be added into the aerogel matrix to construct composites with aerogels. Moreover, an aerogel network has pore diameters in the order of nanometers. The further addition of nanomaterials into an aerogel produced a composite with superior functional properties including increased specific surface area, improved mechanical strength, and better thermal and electrical conductivity.125

Since this first use of carbon nanomaterials in the production of an aerogel structure, the utilization of a variety of nanomaterials for the development of high-performance aerogel structures has grown exponentially. For example, carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers have been incorporated into aerogels to improve the electrical conductivity and performance for applications such as supercapacitors, sensors, and batteries126,127 (Fig. 9).


image file: d4na00572d-f9.tif
Fig. 9 Possible electromagnetic shielding mechanism of the Ti3C2Tx/RGO/ANFs hybrid aerogel. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2022).128

In other earlier works, the lightweight 3D structure design is a primary prerequisite in EMI shielding applications. The actual EMI SE for lightweight porous materials was determined in terms of specific shielding effectiveness (SSE) and absolute shielding effectiveness (ASE), which define the accurate shielding performance of the material by considering three factors: EMI SE, density (ρ), and thickness (t), which are calculated as follows,

SSE = SET/ρ dB cm3 g−1

ASE = SSE/t = SET/ρt dB cm2 g−1

The pores developed in the lightweight 3D structure decrease the density of the material and are also supposed to increase multiple internal reflections of EM waves, increasing EMI SE values. Porosity has been integrated into the material to reduce the density of the EMI shielding materials to get the best of both SE and lightweight, and the impact of porosity on the properties and structure of porous materials has been adequately studied. Hu et al. investigated multifunctional aerogel films made with Kevlar fiber, carbon nanotubes (CNT) as reinforcing fillers, and hydrophobic fluorocarbon resin as a polymer matrix. The final material comprises self-cleaning properties due to the hydrophobic surface nature of the film, having good electrical conductivity leading to joule heating properties and good EMI shielding properties of 54.4 dB at a thickness of 546 μm in the X-band region (8–12 GHz)129 (Table 6).

Table 6 Aerogel composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Type Method Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PDMS/0.21 wt% rGO/0.07 wt% SWCNT Aerogel foams Freeze drying method 120 31 8.2–12.4 130
0.51 wt% CNT/cellulose Template Ice-template freeze drying method 38.9 51 8.2–12.4 131
0.74 vol% Ti3C2Tx/graphene/epoxy Nanocomposite Hydrothermal assembly and freeze-drying 695.9 50 8.2–12.4 132
1.95 wt% PDMS/reduced graphene Flexible foams Freeze drying 65.6 43.6 8.2–12.4 133
Polyurethane (WPU)/silver nanowire (Ag-NW) Flexible nanocomposites Freeze drying 587 64 8.2–12.4 134
0.8% Graphene/epoxy Nanocomposite Freeze drying and thermal annealing 980 32 8.2–12.4 135
0.2 wt% TAGAs/epoxy Nanocomposite Freeze drying and thermal annealing 96 25 8.2–12.4 135
6.1 wt% MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/sodium alginate (SA) Aerogel Freeze drying 2211 48.2 8.2–12.4 136
Nacre-mimetic graphene (aerogel)/PDMS Aerogel Bidirectional freezing and freeze drying 0.5 65 8–12 137
1.64 wt% Ti3C2Tx MXene/epoxy Foam Sol–gel followed by freeze drying 184 46 8–12.4 138
0.33 wt% Graphene/phenolic resin/epoxy resin Aerogels Hydrothermal 73 35 8–12.4 139


3.6 Foams

Polymer foams have attracted great attention in designing EMI shielding materials due to their advantage of being lightweight, while the unique porous structure can effectively absorb EM waves by extending the travel path.25 Foam composites demonstrated absorption-dominated shielding phenomena, which meets the present standards of EMI shielding applications. Furthermore, conductive polymer foams, carbon foams, inorganic metal foams and MXene foams are gaining popularity for use in EMI shielding applications. The primary goal of this review is to study the current state of research in the design of polymer composite foams as EMI shielding materials (Fig. 10).
image file: d4na00572d-f10.tif
Fig. 10 Schematic illustration of EM wave dissipation in the PVDF/CNT/SiCnw composite foams. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2023).140

Zhang et al. used subcritical CO2 (scCO2) as a physical foaming agent to fabricate a graphene-reinforced PMMA composite. The established multi-interface microporous structures have the potential to improve shielding effectiveness by allowing for multiple internal reflections and resolving the composites' pervasive brittleness.141 Furthermore, Zhang et al. fabricated three-dimensional (3D) compressible foam with conductive MXene sheets. The prepared conductive network was covered with a thin layer of elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to increase mechanical robustness.136 After 500 compression–release cycles, the PDMS-coated foam achieved a superior EMI SE value of 48.2 dB, demonstrating its remarkable ability for compressible and robust EMI shielding gaskets. Gupta et al. formulated a 2,20-azobisobutyronitrile (AIBN), a chemical blowing agent used to prepare the CNT-PS foam composite. When heated, AIBN decomposed and released nitrogen gas inside the composite structure, providing adequate EMI shielding efficiency.142 Shen et al. used a modified water vapour-induced phase separation method to create porous PVDF/MWNT/graphene composites.143 Furthermore, syntactic foam is a foam composite of hollow fragments distributed in a matrix. Two techniques have been used, including the use of conductive hollow particles as fillers for syntactic foams and the addition of excess conductive filler to syntactic foams. Furthermore, the template process has been illuminated to manufacture foam-based shielding materials due to its ease of operation, controllable structure, and diverse alteration. The polymeric composition can be coated on the pre-constructed conductive foam in reverse on the composite foam for EMI shielding. Foam-based structures were boosting multiple reflections and so on. Similarly, processing aspects like modifications in blending techniques, layered assembling, and even irradiation process boost EMI shielding through uniform dispersions, sequential attenuation, etc. Herein, we attempt to bring in a consolidated review of recent research with insights on the structural and processing-based approaches and their combinations and their underlying mechanism that has boosted the EMI shielding performance. Several researchers prepared various foams and determined their EMI shielding effectiveness which are listed in Table 7.

Table 7 Foam composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
TG-CN/PMMA 2 1 34 8.2–12.4 144
RG-CN/PMMA 2 0.1 19.5 8.2–12.4 144
GN-CN/PMMA 2 0.8 26 8.2–12.4 144
PVDF/Ni-chains 2 0.01 26.8 8.2–12.4 145
Silicone rubber/MWCNTs/Fe3O4 2 14.6 27.5 8.2–12.4 146
GO/NF/epoxy 0.5 150 65 1–3 147
fMWCNTs/CTBN/epoxy 2 0.43 22.90 12–18 148
PMMA/GNPs-MWCNTs 2 0.1 36 8–12 149
CNTs/PMMA laminated 2 36 8–12.4 150
GNPs/PMMA 2     8–12.4 151
EP/ZrP-MWCNT 2.2–2.5 3.02 × 10−4 20.5 12–18 152
PMMA/Fe3O4@MWCNTs 2.5 2 × 10−4 16 8.2–12.4 153
PMMA/MWCNT 3 8.2–12.4 GHz 154
Microcellular epoxy/MWCNT 2.8 1 × 10−7 9 12–18 GHz 155
PC/GNP 5 1 × 10−7 39 8–12 GHz 156
PVDF/MWCNT 1.7 0.44 34.1 18–26.5 GHz 157
PVDF/10 wt% GNP 3 0.52 37.4 26.5–40 GHz 158
Silicone/30 wt% o-MWCNTs 6.4 73 12.4–18 GHz 159
PU/31.3 wt% rGO 2.5 −50.8 2–18 GHz 160
Epoxy/0.94 vol% AgPs/0.44 vol% rGF 3 45.3 58 8.2–12.4 GHz 161
PDMS/2.7 wt% GF/2.0 wt% CNTS 2 ± 0.05 31.5 833 8.2–12.4 GHz 162


3.7 Core–shell structures

Core–shell nanoparticles are a special class of nanostructured materials that have attracted a great deal of interest in the last two decades due to their unique characteristics and wide range of applications. A variety of “core–shell” nanostructures with tailorable characteristics may be generated by properly regulating the “core” and “shell”, which can be utilised to build materials for EMI shielding. The primary goal of this study is to emphasise the fundamental notion of EMI shielding materials that have been discussed in the literature for various systems, as well as various synthetic and manufacturing methodologies for creating acceptable EM attenuation.

In this approach, the prepared core@shell may be made up of two distinct types of substance, inorganic@organic and vice versa, or the same type of substance with different structures, such as inorganic@inorganic or organic@organic. The construction materials or the core or shell thickness ratio can modify the properties of these materials. The main drawback in the preparation of core@shell particles is a complex and time-consuming strategy.

Previously, a few researchers claimed that reinforcing core@shell particles in the polymer matrix can improve the polymer's complex permittivity and permeability. It can also help with impedance matching, which occurs as a result of several relaxation mechanisms in the polymer. In the core and shell nanoparticles with a specific thickness of shells, an unexpected dielectric behavior that strengthened EMI shielding effectiveness was demonstrated. On the other hand, Liu et al. presented the well-defined shells, unique morphological characteristics, desirable magnetization, large surface area, and large porosity of the yolk-double-shelled Fe3O4@SnO2 particles which significantly enhanced the EMI SE characteristics of the composite.163 The significant increase in the absorption of the EM wave of the composite containing Fe3O4@SnO2 can be attributed to the individual shells in the yolk–shell structure, which provided the synergistic effect between the core containing magnetic Fe3O4 and the dielectric shell containing SnO2 nanoparticles. Zhang et al. chose polyaniline (PANI) and bagasse fiber (BF) to develop a heterostructure by insulating PANI over the fiber surface to form a conductive lightweight material. The properties depend on the total coverage of PANI on the fiber surface as the higher the PANI content the greater the electrical conductivity. The material showed good complex permittivity because PANI improves dipolar polarization and conductivity.81

The exceptional EMI shielding properties of these nanoparticles were attributed to the complementary activity of the dielectric loss and the magnetic loss generated in the composite due to core–shell structure nanoparticles. Owing to the presence of the conductive shells or core, the eddy current effect was effectively minimized, and anisotropy energy was increased in the core–shell structured nanoparticles.164 Owing to the presence of the magnetic core or shell, magnetic losses such as natural ferromagnetic resonance loss, domain wall resonance loss, and hysteresis loss are produced, which usually play an important role in the enhancement of EMI shielding effectiveness (Fig. 11).


image file: d4na00572d-f11.tif
Fig. 11 Cartoon illustrating the EMI shielding mechanism for the composites (a) F–F composites [PVDF–Fe3O4], (b) E–F composites [HDPE–Fe3O4]. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2018).165

In general, composites containing core@shell nanoparticles are receiving great attention due to their potential advantages such as core-corrosion safety, interfacial polarization, complementary behavior, and confinement effect. Furthermore, a wide range of composites containing core@shell nanoparticles with reasonable attenuation of EM waves have been investigated and data are listed in Table 8.

Table 8 Polymer composites containing core and shell particles and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) EMI SE (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PVDF/FeCoSiO2@MWNT (10 wt%) 3 35 2–18 164
Fe3O4@C@PANI (Fe3O4@C[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]PANI:1[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]9) 1 4.06 × 10−1 65 2–8 166
FeCo@SiO2@PPy 2.1 65.17 2–18 167
PVDF/F3O4 (3 wt%)@SiO2@MWCNTs (10 wt%) 0.6 2 × 10−3 40 12–18 168
fMWCNT-Fe3O4@Ag/epoxy (MWCNT[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]Fe3O4:9[thin space (1/6-em)]:[thin space (1/6-em)]1) 2 28 35 8.2–12.4 169
F3O4 (20 wt%)@SiO2@PPy 0.27 71 32 8–12.4 170
PVDF/PS/HDPE/MWCNTs (70/20/10/1 vol%) 2.5 1.2 25 8–12.4 165
Ni@SnO2@PPy 3.5 14.28 30.1 2–18 171
Co@C-PVDF 25.49 8–12.4 172


3.8 Segregated structures

The conductive polymer composites were incorporated with large loadings of conductive fillers into the polymer matrix to form a percolated network structure which increases the electrical conductivity of the polymer composite. This conventional approach in the fabrication of polymer composites improves their density but is not a cost-effective or industrially viable method. Owing to such issues, the segregated structure facilitates the formation of a percolated network with low filler loadings in the fabrication of polymer composites among all other structure-based strategies. Typically, two approaches are employed for developing segregated structures. One approach is the addition of conductive fillers to form a percolated network in the polymer matrix through the densification process. The conductive filler loadings in the segregated network structure resulted in a percolated conductive network structure integrated with the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the segregation of conductive fillers by distinct polymeric bulks improves the composite's EMI shielding performance. The other approach is to prefabricate 3D integrated conductive structures, and subsequently fill the pores with the polymer matrix (Fig. 12).
image file: d4na00572d-f12.tif
Fig. 12 Schematic EMI shielding mechanism for the PLA/Ag composites with novel segregated electrically conductive Ag networks. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2018).173

Li et al. presented a novel process for producing a segregated composite of poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) containing carbon nanotubes (CNT).174 Firstly, PPS beads were mechanically blended with CNT to produce PPS complex granules coated with CNT. This was followed by compression molding into segregated composites of CNT/PPS. The EMI shielding effectiveness of the segregated composite of CNT/PPS was significantly higher than that of the random ones. Segregated structures exhibited excellent EMI shielding effectiveness.174 Similarly, Sun et al. studied an electrostatic assembly method for producing highly conductive polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites containing MXene.175 In this method, the pre-coating of negative MXene on positive PS microspheres was followed by compression molding. The resulting PS composites containing MXene have a lower percolation threshold limit of 0.26 vol%, resulting in a good electrical conductivity of 1081 S m−1 and an excellent EMI SE of 54 dB over the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz.175 Liang et al. developed a three-dimensional foam with systematic hollow spherical structures of reduced graphene oxide and silver platelets (rGO/AgP).161 By using a freeze-drying process, the foam composite accomplished a uniform distribution of AgP and rGO, forming a network structure. The final nanocomposites containing highly stable segregated structures were successfully fabricated by backfilling the epoxy monomer and curing agent. The 3D segregated structures of AgP/rGO/EP nanocomposites containing 0.44 vol% rGO and 0.94 vol% AgP showed the maximum SET value of 58 dB in the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz and electrical conductivity of 45.3 S m−1 due to systematic percolation networks of the AgP/rGO hollow spherical particles and the interfacial synergy between hollow spherical particles and epoxy resin.161 Many authors have reported segregated structures in the literature that are used in the fabrication of EMI shielding materials which are listed in Table 9.

Table 9 Segregated structure composites and their EMI shielding effectiveness
Materials Filler content Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PP/CNT/CB foam 5 wt% 0.26 6.67 × 10−1 72.23 8.2–12.4 176
PS/MWNT 7 wt% 1.8 11 26.3 8.2–12.4 177
PDMS/MWNT/SGM SGM-30 vol%; MWNT-3 vol% 2.7 50 55 8.2–12.4 178
PDMS/MWNT/HGM HGM-40 vol%; MWNT-3 vol% 2.7 47.5 53 8.2–12.4 178
PMMA/rGO 2.6 vol% 2.9 91.2 63.2 8.2–12.4 179
PMMA/rGO/magnetite rGO-1.1 vol% 2.9 29 8.2–12.4 179
Magnetite-0.5 vol%
NR/Fe3O4@rGO 78% Fe3O4 1.8 6.1 42.4 8.2–12.4 180
10 phr rGO
NR/rGO 10 phr rGO 1.8 8.1 34 8.2–12.4 180
CNT/UHMWPE 4 wt% 2 30.1 32.6 8–18 181
PLA/Ag 5.89 vol% 1.5 254 50 8.2–12.4 182
PVDF/MWNT 7 wt% 3 6 45 8.2–12.4 183
PLLA/MWNT 1.1 wt% 1.5 25 30 8.2–12.4 184


3.9 Template structure

In the polymer composites, the addition of large filler loadings of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix attenuates EM waves. The addition of large filler loadings in the polymer matrix resulted in the formation of agglomerates and the dense stacking of polymers in the nanocomposite. In response to such problems, introducing 3D porous template structures will effectively overcome the agglomeration of nanomaterials. There were major studies on template-based polymer composites and the researchers used templates to create 3D porous structures. Song et al. used a sacrificial template approach to build 3D foam structures with rGO and MXene.185 The template was produced from an Al2O3 honeycomb plate. MXene self-assembly on rGH resulted in honeycomb structural rGO-MXene (rGMH) with the formation of percolated networks and excellent EMI shielding properties. The honeycomb cell size of 0.5 mm contains 1.2 wt% rGO and 3.3 wt% MXene/epoxy nanocomposite demonstrating the electrical conductivity of 387.1 S m−1 and SET value of 55 dB values185 (Fig. 13).
image file: d4na00572d-f13.tif
Fig. 13 Schematic diagram of the EM waves absorption in the Fe3O4@Ti3C2Tx/GF/PDMS composite. Reprinted with permission. Copyright (2020).186

Recently, Shahzad et al. who studied renewable porous biochar and 2D MXene have sparked tremendous interest in high-performance EMI shielding fields due to their particular ordered structures and good electrical conductivity values.187 The wood-based porous carbon from natural wood was used as a template in this study. The composites containing 15 wt% MXene/epoxy and 4.25 wt% MXene foam/epoxy were prepared by direct blending and template methods corresponding to SET values of 41 and 46 dB, respectively. Many authors have reported template-based structures in the literature for the fabrication of EMI shielding materials which are listed in Table 10.

Table 10 The template-based structures for the fabrication of EMI shielding materials
Materials Template Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
10.69 wt% MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/PDMS     30 8.2–12.4 186
10.69 wt% Graphene/PDMS     15 8.2–12.4 186
10.69 wt% MXene/11.53 wt% Fe3O4/graphene/PDMS Graphene   80 8.2–12.4 186
10.69 wt% MXene/11.53 wt% Fe3O4/graphene/PDMS Graphene   77 26.5–40 186
1.2 wt% rGO/MXene/epoxy Al2O3 36 43.5 8.2–12.4 188
3.3 wt% rGO/MXene/epoxy Al2O3 387.1 55 8.2–12.4 188
12 wt% Graphene foam/hollow-Fe3O4/polydimethylsiloxane Nickel foam   70.37 8.2–12.4 189
2.76 wt% Fe3O4 chemically bonded carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene foams (RGF)/epoxy RGF 7.3 × 10−5 36 8.2–12.4 190
2.76 wt% carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene foams/epoxy RGF 14 31 8.2–12.4 190
2.58 wt% PANI/0.83 wt% MWCNT/1.20 wt% thermally annealed graphene/epoxy PANI 5210 42 8.2–12.4 191
1.5 wt% Fe3O4/1.2 wt% thermally annealed graphene oxide/epoxy Graphene 8.7 × 10−5 10 8.2–12.4 192
1.5 wt% Fe3O4/1.2 wt% thermally annealed graphene/epoxy Graphene 27.5 35 8.2–12.4 192


4 Process-based strategies of nanomaterials for the fabrication of efficient EMI shielding materials

To develop EMI shielding materials, the homogeneous distribution of nanomaterials in the polymeric matrix is a fundamental design strategy focused on delivering uniform dispersion of the incorporated fillers in the polymer. The nanomaterials in the polymer matrix combined to create a percolation network that relies on a filler loading of nanoparticles. Nevertheless, nanofillers have various sizes and multiple dimensions, and the filler loading of nanoparticles in large quantities makes them vulnerable to agglomeration in the polymer matrix, thereby significantly affecting the composites' performances.4 The miscibility of nanoparticles may increase by introducing an external force. Melt blending, solvent mixing, and in situ polymerization are all approaches for achieving a homogeneous structure. Melt blending is an economically feasible, cost-effective, and realistic method in the polymer industry. In this method, the polymer matrix was heated at melting temperature rather than its solubility in conventional solvents, preventing the solvent removal stage.4

The high-quality shear mixing method will ensure that the fillers are well dispersed in the molten polymer. Kumar et al. used a continuous melt blending technique to achieve homogeneous dispersion of large filler loadings of MWNT within a polypropylene (PP) polymeric matrix.11 Morphological characteristics were analysed and confirm the good dispersion of MWNT in the nanocomposites. The nanocomposite with an MWNT loading of 2 wt% demonstrated an SET value of 5.9 dB, which corresponds to 74.29% attenuation of incident EM wave power over the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz. Many authors have reported in the literature the melt blending method used in the fabrication of EMI shielding materials listed in Table 10.

Solution mixing depends on a solvent technique, which finely disperses the fillers in the matrix due to the polymer's lower viscosity. Because of the filler's limited solubility in the solvent, certain processing steps such as intense stirring, high-intensity ultrasonication, and surface modification are needed. Ouyang et al. produced an intrinsically conducting polymer composed of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) as a conductive portion for the development of highly effective flexible EMI materials.193 PEDOT and PSS were mixed with an extremely stretchable, miscible polyurethane (PU) solution to create composite films by drop-casting. The 0.15 mm thick films exhibited a conductivity of 7.7 × 103 S m−1 and demonstrated a SET value of 62 dB over the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz. In situ polymerization is a reasonably complex process in which the dispersion of the filler is timed to correspond with the matrix's polymerization. Zhang et al. generated a sequence of conductive polymeric composites by polymerizing an ε-caprolactam monomer in situ in the presence of GO nanosheets in a single step.194 The reduction, refinement, and distribution of GOs occurred by polymerization, with no additional reducing agents utilized. In the in situ polymerization process, epoxy-based composites were commonly used. The addition of the nanoparticles in the composite helped create conductive networks while also contributing to hysteresis degradation, resulting in significantly enhanced absorption of EM waves. It is believed that by using various processes, a more efficient polymer composite containing filler loading of nanoparticles would be possible, which would be accomplished using processing techniques as listed in Table 11.

Table 11 Processing strategies used in the fabrication of efficient EMI shielding materials
Materials Method Conductivity (S m−1) SET (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
Fabrics/10 wt% CNT and sodium alginate 20 Cycles of layer-by-layer assembly 36.6 21.5 8.2–12.4 195
Fabrics/10 wt% CNT and sodium alginate 20 Cycles of layer-by-layer assembly 36.6 20.8 12.4–18 195
PS/5 wt% MWCNT Nano-infiltration 7.2 × 10−2 25 8.2–12.4 196
PS/5 wt% MWCNT/rGO/Fe3O4 Nano-infiltration 0.014 22 8.2–12.4 196
PS/5 wt% MWCNT/rGO/MoS2 Nano-infiltration 0.031 36 8.2–12.4 196
PLA/30 wt% PVDF/0.25 wt% CNT Kinetically controlled melt blending 1.06 × 10−2 <3.5 8.2–12.4 197
PLA/30 wt% PVDF/0.25 wt% CNT Kinetically controlled melt blending 1.06 × 10−2 <8 1–6 197
20 vol% PS/PMMA/2.7 vol% MWNT Intertube and interphase controlled melt blending 90 29–20 8.2–12.4 198
PDMS/3 wt% MWNT Spin coating 40 13.5 8.2–12.4 199
PDMS/3 wt% MWNT Compression molding 88 7 8.2–12.4 199
50 wt% PC/PMMA/3 wt% MWNT Solution mixing 0.5 8–14 8–12 200
50 wt% PC/PMMA/3 wt% MWNT Melt blending 0.3 4.5–9 8–12 200
0.5 wt% E-f-GO/epoxy/carbon fiber VARTM technique 55–67 12.4–18 201
PVDF/30 wt% Ni The rotational orientation of filler 20–35 26.5–40 202
7.5 wt% (graphene/MWNT)/PBO In situ polymerization   50.17 12.58 203
2 wt% Ionic liquid-MWNT + 5 wt% BaFe in PC + 10 wt% PMMA Melt blending 2.8 37 8–18 204
PET/PANI composite In situ chemical oxidation polymerization method 80 23.95 8–12.4 205
35 wt% EVA/40 wt% CF/5 wt% OMMT/20 wt% SCF Ceramization 99 36 8–12.4 206
PS/12.6 vol% Cu Compression molding 2.95 × 106 100 0.1–18 207
PS/12.6 vol% Cu/0.4 vol% Ag Compression molding 3.5 × 106 110 0.1–18 207
PVDF/2 wt% MWNT Extrusion followed rolling 2.8 × 10−3 18–25 12–18 208
EMA/50 wt% EOC/15 wt% MWNT Solution mixing 0.89 33 8–12.4 209
60 wt% AEM/MPU/5 wt% SWNT Blending 4.27 × 10−2 23–27 2–8 210
ABS/1.5 wt% CNT/1.5 wt% CB Extrusion followed by vacuum drying 4.7 × 10−3 11 8–12.4 211
ABS/3 wt% CNT Extrusion followed by vacuum drying 1.27 × 10−3 17 8–12.4 211
40 wt% CNT/PLA Melt blending 3.2 50 8–12.4 212
40 wt% CNT/PLA 3D printing 1.1 30 8–12.4 212
48 wt% poly(L-lactide)/12 wt% poly(ε-caprolactone)/PCL/2 carbon nanotubes Melt blending 0.012 17 8–12.4 213


5 Sustainable strategies of nanomaterials for the fabrication of efficient EMI shielding materials

A sustainable polymer is a plastic material that satisfies consumer demands without harming the environment, health, or economy. To accomplish this, scientists are focusing on creating polymers that, as compared to non-sustainable alternatives, use renewable feedstocks, such as plants and crops for manufacturing with a smaller carbon footprint and a facile end life. Although sustainable polymers are a significant rising segment of the industry, they are derived from unsustainable fossil materials and require adequate synthesis and processing. A natural polymer, as a non-toxic, reusable, and renewable fuel, may be directly carbonized to produce macroscopic materials without the use of expensive precursors or complicated processes, implying an efficient energy-saving path for EMI shielding materials. As precursors, two prominent natural products, cellulose and lignin, have received considerable attention. Since graphene oxide can only be uniformly distributed in water at lower concentrations, the resulting graphene aerogels have low density, good mechanical strength, and conductivity. In contrast to graphene oxide, Zeng et al. discovered that lignin could form stable suspensions in a much wider range of concentrations, resulting in honeycomb-like foams with tunable densities through unidirectional freeze-drying.214 As a result of their research, honeycomb-like lignin-derived carbon (LC) foams doped with rGO were created using unidirectional ice-templating, freeze-drying, and carbonization. The interfaces between the LC and rGO and the aligned pores in the 2 mm thick honeycomb-like foams contributed interfacial polarization loss and numerous reflections, resulting in a collection of 31 dB over the X-band frequency range of 8–12.4 GHz. Because of their broad specific area and porous nature, Wan et al. chose cellulose-derived carbon aerogels (CDCA) as materials.215 Then, using a simple chemical precipitation process, nanoneedles and nanoflowers of magnetic α-FeOOH were developed in situ on a CDCA substrate to increase the contributions of magnetic losses and thus improve the EMI shielding characteristics. The incorporation of α-FeOOH into carbon aerogels exhibited an absorption-dominant mechanism, which certainly reduced secondary radiation from EMI shields as a prepared composite was a compelling option for designing safety devices from EM radiation. Furthermore, a volume of natural biomass rich in natural polymers, such as wood, straw, pulp, flour, cotton, and sugarcane, has been used as a precursor, which has proven to be a potential candidate for application as an EMI shielding material. Another area of importance should be recovering materials from electrical and electronic devices into the matrix and reinforcement for EMI shielding applications leading to waste management and sustainability. Rosa et al. worked on using e-waste as metal fillers to the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix was high density polyethylene (HDPE) recovered from municipal solid waste. The metal filler, mostly iron oxide, was separated from printed circuit boards (PCB), and the EMI SE was observed to be 48.3 dB. Rahaman et al. investigated recycling and reusing polyethylene (PE) from waste plastic materials to be used as a packaging material for electronic devices. Carbon black was used as the conducting filler to improve the shielding properties, and the composite showed an EMI SE value of 33 dB at a thickness of 1 mm and an attenuation of 99.93%.216,217 Many authors have reported sustainable nanocomposites for EMI shielding purposes which are listed in Table 12.
Table 12 Sustainable nanocomposites used in EMI shielding applications
Materials Novelty Filler content Thickness (mm) Conductivity (S m−1) EMI SE (dB) Frequency (GHz) Ref.
PU/MWCNTs/Fe3O4@MoS2 Self-healing composites 3 wt% MWCNT; 5 wt% Fe3O4@MoS2 5 −36.6 8–18 218
MWCNTs/rGO/Fe3O4/PU Ultrafast self-healing composites 3 wt% MWCNT; 5 wt% rGO/Fe3O4 5.8 0.05 −36 8–18 219
PU/MWCNTs/rGO@MoS2@Fe3O4 Trigger free self-healing 3 wt% MWCNT; 5 wt% rGO@MoS2@Fe3O4 5 10−1 −43.6 8–18 220
GEs/CNTs/Elastomeric ionomers Recyclable and self-healing (100% recovery) 10 wt% 1 550 64 8.2–12.4 221
Fe3O4@MWCNTs/PAM Recoverable and self-healing 20 wt% Fe3O4@MWCNTs 1.8 −50 8.2–12.4 222
MWCNT/Ni@CLF/PEEK Renewable biomaterials 18 wt% Ni@CLF 2.5 2.101 48.1 8.2–12.4 223
PLLA/CPEGDA/MWCNT Sustainable eco-friendly 3.6 vol% MWCNT 1 10−1 27.4 8.2–12.4 224
PLA/GNP Naturally derived biodegradable nanocomposites 15 wt% GNP 2.5 7.4 15 8.2–12.4 225
PBAT/GNP Naturally derived biodegradable nanocomposites 15 wt% GNP 2.5 3 14 8.2–12.4 225
PLA/Graphite foams Renewable and biodegradable nanocomposites 2.5 wt% 2 3.5 45 8.2–12.4 226
PLA/Graphite solid Renewable and biodegradable nanocomposites 2.5 wt% 2 2 × 10−6 20 8.2–12.4 226
PLA/MWCNT foams Biodegradable nanocomposites 0.0054 vol% MWCNT 5 45 8.2–12.4 227
PLA/GNP Biodegradable nanocomposites 15 wt% GNP 1.5 7.4 15.5 5.85–12.4 228
PLLA-MWCNT Biodegradable nanocomposites 10 wt% MWCNT 2.5 3.4 23 8.2–12.48 229
PANI/CNF Environment friendly and sustainable 50 wt% PANI and 50 wt% CNF 1 31.4 −23 8.2–12.4 230
Waste paper/Ag-based ink Waste paper based composite 0.36 68 10.77–18 231
WTP/PVA carbon aerogel Waste tissue paper based carbon absorbing composite 6 wt% Waste tissue paper 135 40 8.2–12.4 232
PVB-CoOx-FAC Usage of waste fly ash cenospheres 10 wt% 2.5 −27 15.8 233
PVB-NiO-FAC Usage of waste fly ash cenospheres 10 wt% 2.5 −47.5 15.8 233
PVB-PANI-FAC Usage of waste fly ash cenospheres 10 vol% FAC; 30 vol% PANI; 60 vol% PVB 265 ± 2 μm 11 15 5.8–12.4 234
PVB-PANI-Ni-FAC Usage of waste fly ash cenospheres 10 vol% Ni-FAC; 30 vol% PANI; 60 vol% PVB 259 ± 2 μm 18 S m−1 23 ± 1 5.8–12.4 234
PVB-PANI-Co-FAC Usage of waste fly ash cenospheres 10 vol% Co-FAC; 30 vol% PANI; 60 vol% PVB 261 ± 2 μm 21 S m−1 19 5.8–12.4 234
BC/Cu/Al2O3 Usage of bacterial cellulose 0.69 × 10−12 S m−1 65.3 1.5 235
PP/rGO Usage of vitamin C for in situ reduction of rGO 20 wt% rGO 2 10−1 S m−1 50 8–18 236


6 Summary and perspective

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) has evolved as a result of rapid advances in the sectors of electronics and communications, offering a great opportunity for the development of efficient EMI shielding materials. Owing to continuous exploratory efforts, polymer composites comprising conductive, magnetic, and/or dielectric materials as important constituents for preventing electromagnetic interference (EMI) are reported. Several processing techniques for the preparation of EMI shielding materials were discussed in this review. The structural design of nanofillers is critical and challenging work in the fabrication of EMI shielding materials, which integrates the functional filler with the polymer matrix for superior EMI shielding performance. Firstly, the role of the basic nanofiller in the preparation of high-performance EMI shielding composites was outlined, along with preparation techniques and typical cases. Also, different-structured nanofillers used simultaneously during the fabrication process to improve shielding performance were discussed. Secondly, the importance of the fabrication process for developing EMI shielding materials was summarized. In addition, different manufacturing strategies for lightweight and ultra-thin materials were addressed in order to be used as potential EMI shielding materials. Synthetic and natural polymers have been processed into various derivatives using facile synthesis processes that demonstrate significant promise for adequate preparations of EMI shielding materials. Furthermore, simple, large-scale, and low-cost fabrication methods for EMI shielding materials for efficient industrialization and emerging structures were explored, as should the translation of corresponding shielding devices for potential applications. Finally, EMI shielding material fabrication techniques endow the EMI shields with unique properties, transforming them into high-value-added EMI shielding materials.

Nomenclature

ABSAcrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
AEMEthylene acrylic elastomers
AIBNAzoisobutyronitrile
AgSilver nanoparticles
Ag@HGMSilver nanoparticles on the surface of hollow glass microspheres
BCBacterial cellulose
BNBoron nitride
BNSFBaNd0.2Sm0.2Fe11.6O19
BRFPolypyrrole matrix encapsulated with BST, RGO and Fe3O4
BSTBarium strontium titanate
CBCarbon black
CCTOCaCu3Ti4O12
CDCACellulose-derived carbon aerogels
CFCarbon fibre
CLFCarbonized loofah fiber
CNFCellulose nanofiber
CNTCarbon nanotubes
CPEGDACrosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate
CSACamphor sulfonic acid
EMElectro-magnetic
EMAEthylene-co-methyl acrylate
EMIElectro-magnetic interference
EMI SEElectro-magnetic interference shielding effectiveness
EOCEthylene octene copolymer
FACFly ash cenosphere
f-MWCNTFunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
GFBTGraphene nanoplate/Fe3O4@BaTiO3 hybrid
GNGraphene nanosheets
GN-CNGraphene nanoplates-carbon nanotubes
GNPGraphene nanoplatelets
HDPEHigh density polyethylene
HGMHollow glass microspheres
IL-MWCNTIonic liquid-multiwalled carbon nanotubes
LblLayer-by-layer
LCLignin-derived carbon
MAMaleic anhydride
MNPMetal nanoparticles
MPUMillable polyurethane
MWNT or MWCNTMulti-walled carbon nanotubes
NCFNickel doped cobalt ferrites
NFNonwoven fabric
Ni@CNTCarbon nanotube encapsulated nickel nanowires
NRNatural rubber
NWFNon-woven fabrics
PAMPolyazomethine
PANIPolyaniline
PBATPoly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)
PBOPoly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole)
PCPolycarbonate
PCLPolycaprolactone
PDMSPolydimethylsiloxane
PEDOTPoly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)
PEEKPolyether ether ketone
PETPolyethylene terephthalate
PET oxidePoly(ethylene oxide)
PHDDTPhosphorus-containing liquid crystalline co-polyester
PIPower density of incident electromagnetic waves
PLAPoly(lactic acid)
PLLAPoly(L-lactide)
PMMAPoly(methyl methacrylate)
PNCPolymer nanocomposites
POEPoly(ethylene-co-1-octene)
PPPolypropylene
PPyPolypyrrole
PPEKPoly(phthalazinone ether ketone)
PPSPoly(phenylene sulphide)
PRPower density of reflected electromagnetic waves
PSPolystyrene
PSSPolystyrene sulfonate
PTPower density of transmitted electromagnetic waves
p-TSApara-Toluene sulphonic acid
PVAPolyvinyl alcohol
PVBPoly(vinyl butyral)
PVDFPolyvinylidene fluoride
RG-CNChemically reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes
rGHHoneycomb structural rGO
rGMHHoneycomb structural rGO-MXene
RGOReduced graphene oxide
SBRStyrene-butadiene rubber
SCFShort carbon fiber
SEAEMI shielding effectiveness due to absorption loss
SEREMI shielding effectiveness due to reflection loss
SETTotal EMI shielding effectiveness
SGMSolid glass microspheres
SSESpecific shielding effectiveness
SSFStainless steel fibre
Sub-SFSubstituted strontium ferrite
SWNTSingle-walled carbon nanotube
TAGAThermally annealed graphene aerogel
TGOThermally reduced graphene oxide
TGO-CNThermally reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes
TPUThermoplastic polyurethane
UHMWPEUltrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene
WPUWaterborne polyurethane
WTPWastepaper

Data availability

No primary research results, software or code have been included and no new data were generated or analysed as part of this review.

Conflicts of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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