Tuning the microwave absorption through engineered nanostructures in co-continuous polymer blends

Herein, we report tailor-made properties by dispersing nanostructured materials in a co-continuous polymer blend (PVDF/ABS) that is capable of shielding electromagnetic (EM) radiation. To accomplish this, lossy materials were employed like multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and barium titanate (BT), (which exhibit relaxation losses in the microwave frequency domain) and ferrites (like Fe3O4). To improve the state of dispersion, the MWNTs were non-covalently modified using 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCD) via pi-pi stacking, and for effective shielding the MWNTs were conjugated with either BT or Fe3O4 nanoparticles through suitable modifications. The hybrid nanoparticles were selectively localized in the PVDF phase, governed by its polarity, and exhibited excellent microwave attenuation. In order to gain insight into the dielectric and magnetic attributes, the microwave parameters were assessed systematically. Taken together, our results uncover polymer blend as a promising candidate for designing lightweight, thermally stable microwave absorber materials.