Fine-grained and electrically conductive NdB6/SiO2: A promising electromagnetic interference shielding material with good thermal and mechanical properties

Abstract Searching for thermal conductive materials with high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) is the key to protect electronic equipment against electromagnetic pollution and excess heat emission. Herein, NdB6/SiO2 bulks with high EMI SE and thermal conductivity which also exhibit good mechanical properties were prepared by liquid phase sintering (LPS). The NdB6/SiO2 bulk prepared by LPS at 1550 °C has fine grain-size, which is beneficial to improving mechanical property and EMI shielding performance. It exhibits high conductivity of 1.47 × 104 S/cm, high EMI SE of 55.1 dB in K band, and high thermal conductivity of 37.9 W/m K. It also possesses flexural strength of 266 MPa and Vickers hardness of 14.8 GPa. Thus, NdB6/SiO2 composite ceramics are promising candidates for EMI shielding with good heat dissipation and mechanical load-bearing capabilities.