
doi: 10.5772/8769
handle: 2268/94992
INTRODUCTION : The addition of nanoparticles having specific properties inside a matrix with different properties creates a novel material that exhibits hybrid and even new properties. The nanocomposites presented in this paper combine the properties of foamed polymers (inexpensive, lightweight, easy to mould into any desired shape, etc.) with those of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The addition of any conductive nanoparticles to an otherwise insulating matrix leads to a significant increase of the electrical conductivity. But CNTs have a very high aspect ratio; a much lower content of CNTs is therefore required to get the same conductivity increase as the one obtained with more compact nanoparticles. This is especially interesting for EMI shielding materials since, as will be explained in further details in this chapter, it is desirable for such materials to have a high conductivity but a low dielectric constant, in order to minimize the electromagnetic power outside the shield casing but also to minimize the power reflected back inside the casing, as is explained in section 2. In particular, two parameters of interest when comparing shielding materials are detailed and discussed. The polymer/CNTs nanocomposites were fabricated and characterized using a two-step diagnostic method. They were first characterized in their solid form, i.e. before the foaming process and the most interesting polymer matrices (with embedded CNTs) could be selected. This way, only the promising blends were foamed, therefore avoiding the unnecessary fabrication of a number of foams. These selected blends were foamed and then characterized. The samples, both solid and foamed, are described and their fabrication processes are briefly explained in section 3 while the characterization methods are shown in section 4. A simple electrical model is given and explained in section 5 and an optimized topology for the foams is also proposed in the second part of the same section. The measurement results for the solids and for the mono-layered and multi-layered foams are summarized and discussed in section 6. They are then compared to results obtained using the electrical model presented in the previous section and they are also correlated to rheological characterizations.
nanocomposite, nanostructured material, Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre, Materials science & engineering, Engineering, computing & technology, Ingénierie, informatique & technologie, Science des matériaux & ingénierie, Chemistry, Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences, electromagnetic interferences (EMI) shielding material, Chimie, foam
nanocomposite, nanostructured material, Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre, Materials science & engineering, Engineering, computing & technology, Ingénierie, informatique & technologie, Science des matériaux & ingénierie, Chemistry, Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences, electromagnetic interferences (EMI) shielding material, Chimie, foam
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