Effect of sorted, homogeneous electronic grade single-walled carbon nanotube on the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

Enhancing the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SH EF) with lightweight materials is a significant challenge. Herein, we introduce the fabrication of a heterogeneous metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) from the current synthetic method into films to optimize EMI SH EF. Because EMI SH EF can be affected by absorption and reflectance attenuation, optimizing the ratio of the metallic or semiconducting nature of SWCNT as a homogeneous electronic grade is critical. We optimized the SWCNT thin film as a homogeneous electronic grade and compared the EMI SH EF performance between them, with mechanistic insights. Specifically, we tuned the ratio of the metallic (m-) and semiconducting (s-) SWCNT in thin film and determined the EMI SH EF. Electronically pure m-SWCNT thin films showed the higher EMI SH EF than s-SWCNT thin film with the comparable tube length. Furthermore, a 1.2 μm thick film of sorted SWCNT exhibited a maximum EMI SH EF of approximately 35 dB with 3 mg of the lightweight film, and the highest normalized specific EMI SH EF (ESE/t), which is the EMI SH EF normalized by the density and thickness of the film, obtained herein was 153,333 dB cm2 g−1 in the frequency range of 12–19 GHz. Our findings demonstrate a substantial material design paradigm for the creation of next-generation material for high-performance EMI SH EF. [Display omitted] •High EMI shielding effectiveness occurs in electronically pure m-SWCNT films.•The aspect ratio in SWCNT thin films is essential in maximizing the performance.•SWCNT’s electronic nature is critical for targeted attenuation for EMI shielding.•Optimizing an SWCNT thin film as a homogeneous electronic grade.