Electromagnetic shielding of polypyrrole–sawdust composites: polypyrrole globules and nanotubes

Economic and efficient materials for the shielding of electromagnetic interference are required by many applications. Electrically conducting composite materials based on wood sawdust modified by polypyrrole (PPy) with different morphology, globular and nanotubular, were prepared through in-situ polymerization of pyrrole with the use of iron (III) chloride as an oxidant. The effect of PPy morphology and content in composite with sawdust on the DC conductivity and shielding effectiveness (SE) were investigated. Composites of sawdust with globular PPy demonstrated higher DC conductivity as compared to those with PPy nanotubes as long as PPy content was less or equal to 18 vol.%. Above this concentration the opposite trend was observed. The SE of composites was evaluated theoretically in the radio-frequency range, and measured by waveguide method in the frequency range 5.85–8.2 GHz. The SE increased with increase in DC conductivity, and good agreement between the theoretically calculated SE and experimental results was achieved. The SE of the composites extended over 20 dB level above 18 vol.% PPy at the thickness of the order of 10 μm. Polypyrrole nanotubes perfomed better than globular PPy at high conducting polymer content. The composites are good candidates for the application as shielding materials in the microwave band.