Co/Co3O4 Based Nanoparticles and Their Polymer Composites for Tuned Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Application

Abstract

The magnetic properties of the metal nanoparticles (NPs) can play remarkable role in electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI Shielding) of many defence and commercial electronic devices. In the present work, coconut oil and PVA capped magnetic cobalt/cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co/Co3O4 NPs) were synthesized by chemical reduction method and impregnated in polymer matrix to verify their EMI shielding behaviour. The coconut oil capped Co/Co3O4 NPs with presence of hcp and fcc phases were prepared in the size domain of 7–10 nm and the effect of surfactant (the oil) on size and oxidation state was studied by varying the ratios. The shielding efficiencies of Co/Co3O4 NPs PVA nanocomposites were analysed by using vector network analyser (VNA) in X- and Ku-band ranging from 8 GHz–18 GHz. The VNA results showed increased shielding efficiency with increasing concentration of NPs.