Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and mechanical property of polymer–matrix composites containing metallized conductive porous flake-shaped diatomite

Abstract The porous flake-shaped diatomite particles with different micropores diameter were used as forming templates for the fabrication of the conductive core–shell functional fillers by electroless silver plating. The surface morphologies and phase structures of the surface coatings onto diatomite particles with different micropores diameter were evaluated. The effects of micropores diameter on electrical resistivity, electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and mechanical property of polymer–matrix composites containing silver-coated diatomite particles were also investigated in detail. The results show that the micropores onto initial diatomite particles after plating are completely covered with the coating, while the micropores onto diatomite particles with expanding pores are still visible. The expanding micropores onto diatomite particles in certain size range have less impact on the phase structures, electrical resistivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. However, the mechanical properties of composites are improved significantly after expanding micropores by HF acid corrosion.