Enhancing electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness for radiation vulcanized natural rubber latex composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silk textile
Budsaraphorn Moonlek, Ekachai Wimolmala, Teerasak Markpin, Narongrit Sombatsompop, Kiadtisak Saenboonruang
Abstract
Abstract This work investigated the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE ), electrical conductivity ( σ ), and mechanical properties of radiation vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) with varying amounts of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and silk textiles for use as flexible EMI shielding materials. The results indicated that 14‐kGy gamma irradiation on NRL successfully initiated crosslinking between NR chains. The results also indicated the increases in MWCNT content increased σ , EMI SE , and hardness, but decreased tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites. Furthermore, silk textile inserted in MWCNT/RVNRL composites could further enhance both σ and EMI SE , while maintaining the strength of the materials at higher MWCNT contents, which previously tended to decrease with increasing MWCNTs. Specifically, the maximum EMI SE in this work was obtained by using 6‐phr MWCNT content and the insertion of silk textile in RVNRL composites (~8 [19] dB for a 2‐mm [8‐mm] thickness at 300 MHz).