Enhancing electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of anticorrosive polypyrrole/zinc tungstate composites: multifunctional approach

The current investigation highlights the characterization and synthesis of polypyrrole/zinc tungstate (PPy/ZnWO₄) nanocomposites with multifunctional applications. PPy/ZnWO₄ nanocomposites were synthesized with varying ZnWO₄ weight percentages (5, 10, 15, 20) by in situ polymerization process. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the structural, compositional, and morphological properties of the samples, respectively. The monoclinic wolframite structure has been revealed by powder XRD for all zinc tungstate and PPy/ZnWO₄ composites. The enhanced AC conductivity of the nanocomposite as compared to that of pristine PPy is discussed based on in situ polymerization effects. The dielectric behavior of PPy/ZnWO₄ samples was analyzed in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 6 MHz. The EMI shielding behavior of the composites showed that 99% of EM noise can be attenuated with high microwave-absorbing characteristics. Further, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), potentiodynamic polarization, AC impedance spectroscopy, and SEM technique results showed relevant corrosion protection property of the nanocomposite on MS in 5 M HCl solution. The observed results confirm the possible optimization of PPy/ZnWO₄ composites with good tunability over electrical conductivity and dielectric behavior coupled with anticorrosive nature for broadband EMI shielding applications.