Conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding of graphene-based architectures using MWCNTs as free radical scavenger in gamma-irradiation

Abstract In this work, we reported a green approach for synthesis of large-scale and low cost three dimensional graphene/polyacrylamide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (3DGPW) architectures by γ–ray irradiation. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used to reduce free radicals and avoid defects brought into graphene during irradiation process. Meanwhile two kinds of conductive networks in the architecture were made up by graphene sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. With the help of free radical scavenger and two kinds of conductive network structures, a remarkable conductivity of 3344.5 S/m was achieved for 3DGPW, which was 20 folds higher than that achieved for three dimensional graphene/ polyacrylamide architectures. In addition, the average value of the electromagnetic interference shielding increased from 9.8 to 24.6 dB. Therefore, the designed 3DGPW architectures could be considered as promising candidates for applications electromagnetic interference shielding materials.