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Composition Optimization of Iron-Nickel-Nanographite Particles for Tuning the Electromagnetic Parameters of Silicone Rubber Composites

  • Research Article-Chemical Engineering
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Abstract

The current study investigates iron (Fe)-nickel (Ni)-nanographite (NG) / silicone rubber composites for improved microwave absorption in 8–18 GHz range. Fe–Ni particles were produced in three different ratios (50:50, 60:40, and 75:25) using high-energy planetary ball mill. NG was also prepared from graphite using wet milling. The Fe–Ni combinations were then ball milled with NG at 75:25 ratio (Fe–Ni: NG) and coded as (Fe0.75Ni0.25)0.75NG0.25, (Fe0.6Ni0.4)0.75NG0.25, and (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.75NG0.25. These hybrid nanoparticles were investigated for their structural and morphological properties. The thermomechanical, environmental and electromagnetic properties of silicone rubber composites with these nanoparticles (20% w/w) were studied. Around 60% improvement in tensile strength with 40% more elongation is achieved compared to the pure silicone rubber samples. (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.75NG0.25 based sample shows good dynamic mechanical properties with almost 4 times increase in storage modulus and twice increase in loss modulus from − 20 °C to room temperature. The conducting nature of hybrid nanoparticles helps to reduce the electrical impedance up to two orders (from 104 to 102 Ω). The composites with (Fe0.75Ni0.25)0.75NG0.25 have excellent mechanical characteristics and good dielectric and magnetic loss while the electromagnetic characteristics of (Fe0.6Ni0.4)0.75NG0.25 based composites have shown greater broad-spectrum absorption in 8–18 GHz range. Real and imaginary permittivity values are up to 50 and 8, respectively while real and imaginary permeability values are around 1 and 0.5, respectively. The results indicate that these flexible polymer nanocomposite sheets are a viable contender as microwave absorbers in a variety of stealth applications over wide range environmental conditions.

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Acknowledgements

Authors like to express their deep gratitude to The Directorate of Extramural Research and Intellectual Property Rights, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) (ERIP/ER/1502251/M/01/1674), Govt. of India for the financial support and the management of PSG Institutions for their laboratory supports to carry out this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Functional, Innovative and Smart Textiles, PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore, 641004, India

    Anjali Prakash, Ramamoorthy Nagarajan & Amitava Bhattacharyya

  2. Defence Laboratory, DRDO, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India

    Avanish K. Srivastava

  3. Electrochemical Sensors and Energy Materials Laboratory, PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore, 641004, India

    R. Sivasubramanian

  4. Directorate of Extra Mural Research & Intellectual Property Right, DRDO HQ, New Delhi, 110011, India

    Mritunjay Kumar Pandey

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  1. Anjali Prakash
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Correspondence to Amitava Bhattacharyya.

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Prakash, A., Srivastava, A.K., Sivasubramanian, R. et al. Composition Optimization of Iron-Nickel-Nanographite Particles for Tuning the Electromagnetic Parameters of Silicone Rubber Composites. Arab J Sci Eng 48, 8849–8860 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-022-07483-0

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