Robust CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Carbon Nanotube/Polydimethylsiloxane Foams with Low Thermal Conductivity for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
Zhaoxin Xie, Zijian Wei, Yanyan Meng, Na Pan, Ran Zhang, Yanhu Zhan, Hesheng Xia
Abstract
Multifunctional polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding foams are attracting considerable attention owing to their ability to mitigate increasing electromagnetic-wave pollution. However, developing robust foams with excellent EMI shielding capabilities and superior thermal insulation properties remains challenging. Herein, CoFe 2 O 4 @carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane/expandable polymer microsphere (CFO@CPE) foams were successfully prepared using a combination procedure involving solution mixing, freeze-drying, and hot-press molding. The synergistic effect of the porous structure and segregated magnetic/conductive network enabled the CFO@CPE foam to exhibit a shielding effectiveness of 48.85 dB and a low thermal conductivity of 0.106 W/(m·K). In addition, the impact and compressive strengths of the obtained foams reached 3.78 kJ/m 2 and 8.17 MPa, respectively. These features support the application of the resultant foam as an EMI shielding material in complex practical situations.