Electromagnetic-Polarization-Selective Composites with Quasi-1D Van der Waals Fillers: Nanoscale Material Functionality That Mimics Macroscopic Systems

We report on the preparation of flexible polymer composite films with aligned metallic fillers composed of atomic chain bundles of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) van der Waals material, tantalum triselenide (TaSe3). The material functionality, embedded at the nanoscale level, is achieved by mimicking the design of an electromagnetic aperture grid antenna. The processed composites employ chemically exfoliated TaSe3 nanowires as the grid building blocks incorporated within the thin film. Filler alignment is achieved using the “blade coating” method. Measurements conducted in the X-band frequency range demonstrate that the electromagnetic transmission through such films can be varied significantly by changing the relative orientations of the quasi-1D fillers and the polarization of the electromagnetic wave. We argue that such polarization-sensitive polymer films with unique quasi-1D metallic fillers are applicable to advanced electromagnetic interference shielding in future communication systems.