Carbon nanotube composite for electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal signature reduction

Abstract

We have developed a new method of electron beam cross-linking to improve electrical conductivity without deteriorating optical transparency of carbon nanotube films. Nano- and micro-patterning on carbon nanotube films are found to be effective in improving optical transparency, but comes at a cost of reducing electrical conductivity. Thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube films can be significantly reduced by nanopatterning. A decreased thermal conductivity may not be all negative, as it could help thermal energy harvesting through increasing Seebeck coefficient and ZT. Multifunctional nanocomposites of carbon nanotube and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were prepared and they showed high electromagnetic interference shielding efficiencies and thermal signature reduction while remain optically transparent.