Electromagnetic interference shielding polymer composites with magnetic and conductive FeCo/reduced graphene oxide 3D networks

In this study, ferrocobalt magnetic nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide (FeCo@rGO)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites with good electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance were fabricated via coprecipitation and a subsequent compression molding strategy. The FeCo-decorated rGO (FeCo@rGO) with tailorable magnetic and conductive properties was deposited on the surface of UHMWPE grains. Then, the composite grains were hot compressed to form a segregated 3D FeCo@rGO network in UHMWPE the matrix. This well-formed 3D magnetic and conductive FeCo@rGO network with selective distribution can provide the UHMWPE composite with tunable electrical and magnetic properties. Owning to the multiple reflections of microwaves among the FeCo@rGO conductive network and the magnetic loss induced by the FeCo magnetic nanoparticles, the FeCo@rGO/UHMWPE nanocomposites showed a good EMI shielding effectiveness of 21.8 dB in the X-band with the presence of only 8.97 vol% FeCo@rGO. This method offers an effective strategy to design EMI shielding materials with regulatable conductive and magnetic performance.