Recoverable and self-healing electromagnetic wave absorbing nanocomposites

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 174; pp. 27 - 32
• Main Authors: Dai, Xingyi, Du, Yuzhang, Yang, Jiye, Wang, Ding, Gu, Junwei, Li, Yifan, Wang, Steven, Xu, Ben B., Kong, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Barking Elsevier Ltd 12.04.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Dynamic covalent bonds; Economic conditions; Electromagnetic radiation; Electromagnetic wave absorption; Electromagnetics; Iron oxides; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanocomposites; Nanotubes; Polyazomethines; Recycling; Reflectance; Reliability engineering; Reprocessing; Self healing materials; Self-healing; Smart structures; Sustainability; Self-healing; Electromagnetic wave absorption; Recycling; Dynamic covalent bonds; Reprocessing
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.02.018

Recent advancements in electronics engineering require materials with the resiliency and sustainability to extend their life time. With this regard, we presented a sustainable multi-functional nanocomposites strategy by introducing dynamic imine bonds based polyazomethine (PAM) as molecular interconnects and Fe3O4-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes as electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing units. Driven by the reversible dynamic imine bonds, our materials show robust spontaneous self-healing with excellent healing efficiencies of 95% for PAM and 90% for nanocomposite, and an accelerated recovery under a moderate mechanical stimulus. By adding Fe3O4-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the hybrids show excellent EM wave absorbing properties with 50% increment on minimum reflection coefficient (−40.6 dB) than the reported value. We demonstrate a full degradability by decomposing a nanocomposite sheet of 100 mg in an acidic solution within 90 min at room temperature. The nanofillers and monomers after degradation can be re-used to synthesis nanocomposites. The testing results for recoverable nanocomposites show a good retention on mechanical property. This novel strategy may shed a light on the downstream applications in EM wave absorbing devices and smart structures with great potential to accelerate circular economy. [Display omitted]