Electromagnetic-Polarization-Selective Composites with Quasi-1D Van der Waals Fillers: Nanoscale Material Functionality That Mimics Macroscopic Systems

We report on the preparation of flexible polymer composite films with aligned metallic fillers composed of atomic chain bundles of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) van der Waals material, tantalum triselenide (TaSe 3 ). The material functionality, embedded at the nanoscale level, is achieved by mimicking the design of an electromagnetic aperture grid antenna. The processed composites employ chemically exfoliated TaSe 3 nanowires as the grid building blocks incorporated within the thin film. Filler alignment is achieved using the “blade coating” method. Measurements conducted in the X-band frequency range demonstrate that the electromagnetic transmission through such films can be varied significantly by changing the relative orientations of the quasi-1D fillers and the polarization of the electromagnetic wave. We argue that such polarization-sensitive polymer films with unique quasi-1D metallic fillers are applicable to advanced electromagnetic interference shielding in future communication systems.