Achieving high electrical conductivity and excellent electromagnetic interference shielding in poly(lactic acid)/silver nanocomposites by constructing large-area silver nanoplates in polymer matrix

Abstract Large-area silver nanoplates were constructed in poly(lactic acid) to achieve high electrical conductivity and excellent electromagnetic interference shielding at low content of silver. Poly(lactic acid) micro-particles were firstly coated with thin silver layer by electroless plating. The coated micro-particles were then fused together to form the poly(lactic acid)/silver nanocomposites with large-area silver nanoplates via a hot pressing. The thickness and compact degree of silver nanoplates was relative to the etching time of micro-particles and concentration of silver ions in solution, while the lateral size of silver nanoplates was dependent on the diameter of poly(lactic acid) micro-particles. Because of the large-area silver nanoplates, the microwaves were efficiently absorbed by repeated reflection-absorption at the interfaces between silver and poly(lactic acid).