Synergy effects in electromagnetic properties of phosphate ceramics with silicon carbide whiskers and carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Hybrid composite materials based on an aluminium phosphate matrix with silicon carbide whiskers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes were studied in a wide frequency range (20 Hz to 36 GHz). It was demonstrated, that the addition of the silicon carbide whiskers enhances the dielectric permittivity and conductivity. This was explained by the difference in tunnelling parameters. Hybrid ceramics with nanotubes and whiskers also exhibits substantially improved electromagnetic shielding properties. The hybrid ceramics with 10 wt. % silicon carbide whiskers and a 1 mm thick 1.5 wt. % carbon nanotube layer, show higher than 50% absorption of electromagnetic radiation.