Microstructure, electrical, and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of carbon nanotube/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene nanocomposites

Processing, electrical, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding behaviors of carbon nanotube (CNT)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) nanocomposites were studied as function of CNT concentration. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The selective and good level of dispersion of CNT in the styrene–acrylonitrile section of the ABS polymer was found to create conductive networks in the ABS matrix at a nanofiller loading of 0.75 wt %. At this nanofiller loading, the nanocomposite electrical conductivity was 10−5 S/m. This conductivity makes the nanocomposite suitable for electrostatic discharge protection applications. The EMI shielding effectiveness of the nanocomposites increased with the increase in nanofiller concentration. In the 100–1500 MHz frequency range, 1.1 mm thick plates made of ABS nanocomposite filled with 5 wt % CNT exhibit an EMI shielding effectiveness of 24 dB. At this shielding level, the nanocomposite is suitable for a broad range of applications.