Dielectric and microwave properties of polyvinyl chloride/graphite/nickel composites and its applications

Abstract

A novel dry phantom nanoconducting composite that can simulate the effect of electromagnetic wave on human tissues composed of graphite/nickel (GN) nanoparticles and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was successfully fabricated. The morphology of as-synthesized graphite nanosheets and PVC/GN composites was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope. Dielectric parameters such as relative permittivity, imaginary permittivity, and alternating current conductivity are evaluated in the frequency range of 0.5-12 GHz. The results are compared with the in vitro equivalent human tissue data and good agreement is reported. The absorption and reflection coefficient as a function of frequency of nanocomposites were also studied. The novel PVC/GN nanocomposites have potential applications for dry phantom and the coupling media in microwave medical imaging. © The Author(s) 2012.