Preparation and Characterization Of PVDF Ferrite Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite Films For EMI Shielding And VOC Sensing Applications

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites are multifunctional materials that combine the properties of polymers with the enhanced functionalities of nanoscale fillers. In recent years, growing demands for flexible, lightweight, and responsive materials in electronic devices have driven significant interest in polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and volatile organic compound (VOC) detection applications. Polymer-based systems offer advantages such as mechanical flexibility, ease of processing, low density, and effective performance at room temperature. Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is one of the most promising polymers due to its significant dielectric constant, electroactive and#946;-phase, and strong interfacial interaction with nanofillers. Ferrite nanoparticles possess significant magnetic properties and moderate electrical conductivity, along with tunable crystallinity. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) exhibits a layered structure, high surface area, abundant nitrogen functionalities, and semiconducting behavior that supports surface reactivity. The combination of dielectric and magnetic properties, along with abundant surface adsorption sites provided by ferrite fillers, and the enhanced charge transfer capability introduced by g-C3N4, offers essential properties required for EMI shielding and VOC sensing applications. The present work describes in detail the fabrication of flexible polymer nanocomposite films reinforced with ferrite and g-C3N4 fillers and their EMI shielding and VOC sensing performance. The combined dielectric and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites, along with surface adsorption characteristics, are analyzed to understand their role in EMI shielding and VOC detection. The influence of ferrite fillers and g-C3N4 on the electromagnetic response of the polymer matrix and the enhancement of surface adsorption and charge transfer are examined. A two-step synthesis method is used to prepare flexible polymer nanocomposite films with optimized filler dispersion and morphology.