Effect of carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets on the dielectric and microwave properties of natural rubber composites

Abstract

In this study, the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) at various weight ratios between them on the dielectric (dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss angle tangent) and microwave (reflection coefficient, attenuation coefficient, shielding effectiveness) properties of nanocomposites on the basis of natural rubber has been investigated in the wide frequency range (1–12 GHz). Some additional investigations on the morphology and microstructure of the graphene particles and CNT used have been carried out by transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The results achieved reveal how by using the selected combinations between CNT and GNP the microwave and dielectric properties of natural rubber nanocomposites can be tailored depending on the need for real practical application.