Lightweight, Flexible and High-Performance Nanocomposites based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Spinel Ferrite (ZnFe2O4 / CoFe2O4) Nanoparticles in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Matrix for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Applications

Abstract

Lightweight and flexible material with enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness is highly in demand in the electronics and communication industry. Herein, we synthesized CoFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles using the sonochemical method, and further, these nanoparticles were embedded inside thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) along with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by a melt-mixing approach using a microcompounder. CoFe2O4 or ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites in the TPU matrix with rGO showed outstanding electromagnetic shielding performance having a constant thickness of 0.80 mm, only. The maximum total shielding effectiveness (SET) was 48.3 dB for ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite and 50.76 dB for CoFe2O4 nanocomposite. These results indicate that the developed nanocomposite can be potentially utilized for electromagnetic shielding applications.