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Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) nanocomposites as outstanding EMI shielding and heat dissipation material

  • Composites & nanocomposites
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Abstract

The progressive miniaturization of electronic devices necessitates effective protection against electromagnetic interference and overheating. This study aims to explore the potential of polymer nanocomposites as multifunctional materials to address these challenges in applications related to airborne and space technology. Our investigation focuses on the hypothesis that the incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into a fluoropolymer matrix (fluorinated ethylene propylene—FEP) will yield a composite material capable of simultaneously providing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and enhanced thermal properties. This research presents initial studies as the foundational step toward designing multifunctional materials for specialized airborne and space technologies applications. The samples, comprising FEP and GNP, were fabricated using a simple powdered masterbatch hot pressing technique, ensuring optimal filler dispersion within the matrix. The dispersion quality was evaluated using Raman mapping and sheet/volume resistivity analyses. Subsequently, adding 25 wt% GNP results in outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness: SETOT ~ 50 dB at 5 GHz for only 1-mm-thick sample and almost 3000% enhancement of thermal conductivity (exceeding 4 Wm−1 K−1), similarly nearly 2000% enhancement of thermal diffusivity (2 mm2 s−1) and an electrical conductivity of over 7 S cm−1 were observed. These results stand out for their remarkable values, especially considering the use of straightforward production methods without further structural improvements or metallic additives.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the National Centre for Research and Development within the Lider XI Programme (LIDER/11/0031/L-11/NCBR/2020), and partially by National Science Centre, Poland under grant OPUS no 2018/31/B/ST3/00279.

Funding

National Centre for Research and Development within the Lider XI Programme (LIDER/11/0031/L-11/NCBR/2020). National Science Centre, Poland under grant OPUS no 2018/31/B/ST3/00279.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662, Warsaw, Poland

    Karolina Filak, Jakub Sitek, Przemysław Michalski & Anna Łapińska

  2. NanoEMI sp. z o. o, Bohdana Dobrzańskiego 3, 20-262, Lublin, Poland

    Karolina Filak

  3. Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, S. Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland

    Tomasz Gołofit

  4. Faculty of Physics, University of Białystok, K. Ciołkowskiego Street 1L, 15-245, Białystok, Poland

    Krzysztof R. Szymański & Piotr A. Zaleski

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Contributions

KF: sample preparation, visualization, investigation, and analysis: Raman spectroscopy, resistivity, thermal conductivity, EMI shielding; writing—original draft. PM: investigation—TGA. TG: investigation and analysis reviewing—DSC. JS: investigation—SEM. KRS: investigation and analysis—modified five contact van der Pauw measurements. PAZ: investigation and analysis—modified five contact van der Pauw measurements. AŁ: conceptualization; methodology; assistance in visualization; funding acquisition; project administration; assistance in analysis: electrical and thermal conductivity; writing—original draft (partially); writing—Review & Editing.

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Correspondence to Anna Łapińska.

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Filak, K., Sitek, J., Michalski, P. et al. Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) nanocomposites as outstanding EMI shielding and heat dissipation material. J Mater Sci 59, 2924–2939 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09365-2

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