Lightweight and anti-corrosive carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/bamboo fiber/ HDPE composite for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding

Electromagnetic pollution causes significant harm to human health and information security. The development of materials for shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) is important in reducing electromagnetic pollution. In this study, an eco-friendly, lightweight EMI shielding material was prepared by mechanically mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), hydrophobic bamboo fibers, and recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), followed by hot-pressing (150 degrees C, 10 MPa, 30 min) the mixture to obtain CNTs/bamboo fiber/HDPE composites (CNTs-BPC). The CNTs-BPC exhibited satisfactory conductivity (1.1 x104 S/cm) and EMI shielding effectiveness (49.6 dB, 8.2-12.4 GHz). The uniform dispersion of an appropriate amount of CNTs created a conductive pathway in CNT-BPC, prompting the absorption of incident EM waves. In addition, the CNTs-BPC possessed a high tensile strength (30.5 MPa), thermal stability, and corrosion resistance. The CNTs-BPC composite developed in this study shows excellent overall performance and holds broad application prospects as a high-temperature and corrosion-resistant EMI shielding material.