Influence of serrated edge and rectangular strips of MWCNT buckypaper on the electromagnetic properties of glass fiber/epoxy resin composites

Serrated and rectangular strips designs of highly porous carbon nanotube buckypaper (BP) were incorporated between the layers of glass fiber/epoxy resin composites (GF/EP) and their electromagnetic and mechanical properties were evaluated. The laminates were studied by their complex electrical permittivities, reflectivity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) and Ku-band (12.4–18 GHz). A large region promoting the electromagnetic wave attenuation of the laminates with values above 90% of attenuation (8.2–10.8 GHz) was reached for laminates containing between 0.75 and 2.5 wt% MWCNT. High attenuation values of −41.04 dB (>99.99%) at 8.3 GHz were obtained in the reflectivity analysis for laminates with serrated strips design and 0.75 wt% of MWCNT. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cross-section view and surface of the BP showed the presence of tunnels and nanocavities. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), and the impulse excitation technique (IET) showed increments of 23%, 6%, and 16%, respectively for the GF/EP/BP/SES-CB, GF/EP/BP/SES, GF/EP/BP/RS laminates compared to the base laminate. The compression shear test (CST) results remained the same compared to the control sample. [Display omitted]