Polymer-Carbon Composite Shielding Material

The invention relates to the use of a polymer-carbon composite containing carbon nanostructures as a shielding material for electromagnetic radiation in the sub-terahertz and terahertz ranges. The composite serves as a protective layer for electronic components or devices, shielding them from electromagnetic interference. The material combines selective electromagnetic shielding properties with transparency to microwave radiation and electrical non-conductivity in the DC range.

Research problem: The growing prevalence of electronic devices in various environments has increased the need for efficient shielding against electromagnetic interference, especially in the terahertz (THz) range. Current materials often lack selectivity, leading to undesired attenuation of microwave signals or electrical conductivity that could interfere with device performance. Moreover, achieving homogeneity in composites has been the focus of prior solutions, which has inadvertently hindered the development of non-conductive and selectively shielding materials. This has created a gap in the availability of cost-effective, easy-to-produce materials for selective THz shielding.

Solution: The invention presents a polymer-carbon composite where thermoplastic polymers, elastomers, or siloxanes act as the matrix. Dispersed within the matrix are carbon nanostructures, including graphene, nanographite, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, or carbon nanotubes. These nanostructures are present in amounts ranging from 0.1% to 10% by weight and are introduced directly without pre-processing into suspensions or emulsions.