Synthesis of silver cellulose-acetate composite for EMI shielding applications

As human exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic (EM) radiation increases, concerns regarding its long-term health effects have prompted the search for effective shielding materials. Traditional shielding materials, while effective, often come with high production costs, complex processing requirements, or environmental concerns. Therefore, materials that are affordable, flexible, biocompatible, and easy to manufacture are in high demand for various applications, ranging from consumer electronics to medical devices, where both performance and safety are crucial. This paper investigates the potential of self-prepared silver cellulose-acetate composite as a shield against non-ionizing EM radiation. The composite’s effectiveness was tested at various silver-to-cellulose ratios (20, 40, 60, and 80%) against frequencies ranging from 1 to 10 GHz, encompassing common sources of radiation exposure. The results showed that by placing the silver cellulose-acetate composite in front of the fired clay, transmission can be significantly reduced, with the 60% silver composition showing the highest effectiveness. These findings highlight the potential of silver cellulose acetate composites as highly effective materials for electromagnetic shielding, possessing a range of desirable characteristics.