Nanocarbon-polymer multilayer structures for electromagnetic shielding

Composite materials based on latex paint with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) were studied. Several types of single-layer and multi-layer structures with various alternations of polymer and composite layers characterized by different values of electrical conductivity and permittivity were fabricated. The investigation of microwave transmission and reflection parameters of the prepared composites in the frequency range of 26–54 GHz is presented. It is found that single-layer composites containing MWCNTs and GNPs exhibit the shielding efficiency enhancement with the increase of filler concentration. The alternation of composite layers with different content of carbon filler makes it possible to adjust the electromagnetic radiation reflection and absorption characteristics of multi-layer coatings. The attenuation of electromagnetic radiation and reflection loss in multilayer coatings depend strongly on the number and thicknesses of layers. The minimal reflection was observed for multilayered coating consisted of MWCNTs-filled composite layers alternating with latex paint layers.