High electromagnetic shielding of multi-wall carbon nanotube composites using ionic liquid dispersant

A 2.5 Gbps optical transceiver module fabricated by ionic liquid (IL)-dispersed multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites is demonstrated. In comparison with shielding effectiveness (SE) measurements without dispersion, IL-dispersed MWCNT composites exhibited high SE of 40∼46 dB at lower weight percentage of MWCNTs. Ionic charge force and alkyl groups interaction in the IL-MWCNT hybrid solution are the dominant mechanisms to determine a well-dispersed MWCNT composite. To develop a cost effective material for use in packaging an optical transceiver module, a fine dispersion of MWCNTs in the polymer matrices and association with the dispersion mechanism is essential.

Introduction

Recently, on the basis of the superior electronic and mechanical properties of MWCNTs, the MWCNTs have been the focus of considerable research and development for uses in nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic applications, such as integrated circuit (IC) interconnections [1], energy storage [2], nano sensor [3], and shielding material [4]–[5].