Microstructure and properties of Ni-Fe3O4 composite plated polyester fabric

In this study, electroless Ni-Fe₃O₄ composite plating on polyester fabric modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was investigated under ultrasonic irradiation. Effects of deposit weight on microstructure and properties of Ni-Fe₃O₄ composite coating were studied. Surface morphology, chemical composition and state, crystal structure of the electroless Ni-Fe₃O₄ composite plated polyester fabric were characterized by SEM, EDX, XPS and XRD. Magnetic properties, electrical resistivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of Ni-Fe₃O₄ plated polyester fabric were also evaluated. The presence of co-deposition of Fe₃O₄ in Ni coating on the polyester fabric is demonstrated by an XPS analysis. At a higher deposit weight, there is an increase in particle size and saturation magnetization, and a decrease in electrical resistivity with respect to the rise of deposit weight, respectively. As the Ni-Fe₃O₄ weight on the treated fabric is 32.90 g/m², the EMI SE of the Ni-Fe₃O₄ plated polyester fabric arrives 15–20 dB at frequencies that range from 8 to 18 GHz. The results indicate the Ni-Fe₃O₄ plated polyester fabrics are used as super-paramagnetic, conductive and EMI shielding materials.