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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Nano Shield-EV: Graphene and CNT-Infused Polymer Composites for Advanced EMI Shielding in Electric Vehicles

  1. Balamurugan S. M. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Chennai
  2. Senthamizh Selvi R. Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, Chennai
  3. Beaulah Princiba D. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, OMR, Chennai
  4. Kumar A. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Chennai
  5. Sivakumar M. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Chennai
  6. Dinesh S. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dhanalkshmi College of Engineering, Chennai

Abstract

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has intensified the need for lightweight, thermally stable, and mechanically robust electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials to ensure the reliable performance of advanced electronic systems. Traditional metallic shields, though highly effective, increase vehicle weight and restrict design flexibility, thereby motivating the search for multifunctional polymer-based alternatives. In this study, NanoShield-EV introduces novel polymer nanocomposites fabricated via melt blending and compression molding, combining engineering-grade thermoplastics with conductive nanofillers to achieve superior EMI protection. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Polycarbonate (PC) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were systematically developed and evaluated. The optimized ABS-CNT-3 formulation exhibited an electrical conductivity of 0.12 S/cm and EMI shielding effectiveness of 35 dB at 10 GHz, while PC-GR-3 demonstrated a higher conductivity of 0.20 S/cm and shielding effectiveness of 43 dB at the same frequency. Beyond electrical performance, both systems displayed improved thermal stability up to 340 °C and enhanced mechanical strength, ensuring durability under demanding automotive conditions. Notably, these nanocomposites deliver over 40% weight reduction compared to conventional metallic shielding, addressing critical light-weighting targets for EV energy efficiency. The novelty of this work lies in the synergistic integration of CNTs and GNPs with engineering polymers to achieve simultaneous improvements in electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, establishing a scalable pathway toward sustainable and high-performance EMI shielding. These findings highlight polymer nanocomposites as a viable, eco-efficient, and application-ready alternative for next-generation electric vehicle electronics.

Keywords

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