Fabrication of ultra-thin, hydrophobic and flexible electromagnetic wave absorber sheets based on nano-carbon/carbonyl iron in a polypyrrole/silicone rubber matrix

In this work, electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing properties of polypyrrole/silicone rubber (PP-SI) filled nano-carbon and carbonyl iron (CI) nanocomposites have been investigated in the X-band. The PP-SR matrix was provided by the incorporation of polypyrrole and liquid silicone rubber in the ratio of 10:90. The PP-SR serves not only as a matrix but also promotes the flexibility and EM wave absorption of the nanocomposite sheets. In the present research, the chemical, morphology, thermal, wetting, absorption, and mechanical properties of the EM wave absorber sheets are investigated. The EM wave absorber sheet with 3 wt% nano-carbon and 37 wt% CI and a thickness of 1 mm, exhibits a minimum reflection loss around −13 dB at 10.27 GHz. The absorber sheet with an elongation of 520% could be qualified as a superior elastic sheet. The specimen represents higher thermal stability compared with pure SR, and the contact angle of the sheet proved that their surface should be hydrophobic.