Role of Magnetite (Fe3O4)-Titania (TiO2) hybrid particle on mechanical, thermal and microwave attenuation behaviour of flexible natural rubber composite in X and Ku band frequencies

This current work aims to prepare a flexible elastomeric microwave shielding composite material with good mechanical and thermal properties by dispersing Fe3O4 and titania hybrid nano-particles. The primary aim of this research work is to prepare a high strength and high thermal stable flexible natural rubber composite with higher wave attenuation coefficient against 'X (8-12 GHz)' and 'Ku (12-18 GHz)' band microwave frequencies. The Fe3O4-Titania hybrids were prepared using low energy ball milling and the hybridization effect was confirmed using transmission electron spectroscopy. The prepared Fe3O4-Titania hybrids were surface-treated using 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane via wet solution method to avoid agglomeration. The natural rubber flexible composite was made by two-roll milling with recommended process parameters. The mechanical and thermal results showed improved tensile strength, modulus and mass decomposition. The highest tensile strength of 60 MPa was observed for composite contains 1.0 vol% of Fe3O4-TiO2 particles. Similarly, the highest thermal stability of 385 degrees C is observed for composite contain Fe3O4-TiO2 particles. The X and Ku band microwave attenuation behaviour revealed the highest attenuation of 28.1 dB for 1.0 vol% of Fe3O4-TiO2 particle dispersed rubber composite in Ku band frequency. These mechanically toughened thermally stable and high microwave attenuation flexible composites could be used as EMI shielding material at antennae and other telecommunication devices where electromagnetic wave interference creates crucial issues.