Tuning the microwave absorption through engineered nanostructures in co-continuous polymer blends

Herein, we report tailor-made properties by dispersing nanostructuredmaterials in a co-continuous polymer blend (PVDF/ABS) that is capable of shielding electromagnetic (EM) radiation. To accomplish this, lossymaterials were employed likemulti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and barium titanate (BT), (which exhibit relaxation losses in themicrowave frequency domain) and ferrites (like Fe3O4). To improve the state of dispersion, theMWNTswere non-covalentlymodified using 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCD) viaπ–π stacking, and for effective shielding theMWNTswere conjugatedwith either BTor Fe3O4 nanoparticles through suitable modifications. The hybrid nanoparticles were selectively localized in the PVDFphase, governed by its polarity, and exhibited excellentmicrowave attenuation. In order to gain insight into the dielectric and magnetic attributes, themicrowave parameters were assessed systematically. Taken together, our results uncover polymer blend as a promising candidate for designing lightweight, thermally stable microwave absorbermaterials.