Advances in waterborne polymer/carbon material composites for electromagnetic interference shielding

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are of great importance for modern daily life, military actions and precise instrument protection because of the complex electromagnetic pollution caused by explosive growth of telecommunications and electronics devices. The conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have been proved to be one of the most promising EMI shielding materials both in fundamental research and practical application due to it set of intriguing lightweight, good processability, low density, chemical stability and excellent mechanical properties. Carbon materials (e.g. graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon fiber, carbon black) based composites have occupied a prominent position in CPCs for EMI shielding. Not only the electromagnetic pollution should be eliminated or solved, but also the pollution coming from the preparation or processing of polymers. In this regard, waterborne polymer/carbon material composites for EMI shielding can meet the demand. Waterborne polymer will affect the EMI SE performance remarkably by improving the interfacial interaction between carbon materials and polymer and further structure designing of the composite. The composite structure forms including homogeneous structures, multilayer structures, segregated structures and porous structures are mainly discussed in details in this review which may inspire the design for more environment-friendly EMI shielding materials.