Absorption-Dominant Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Polymer Nanocomposite PVDF/LiNbO₃ for High-Frequency Microwave Application

The swift advancement of wireless communication technology and the miniaturization of electronic devices have significantly increased the need for lightweight, waterproof, and flexible high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. This study explores the creation of a multifunctional polymer nanocomposite film utilizing a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix incorporated with lithium niobate, LiNbO3 (LNO) filler, which enhances the attenuation of incoming electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The structural and morphological characteristics of the composite were analyzed through the β-phase fraction of PVDF and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. This distinctive magnetodielectric coupling yielded a remarkably high total electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SET) of −62.56 at 8 GHz and −53.62 at 18 GHz, primarily driven by absorption-based shielding. Such high shielding effectiveness underscores the capability of the material to attenuate incoming EM radiation, and the improvement in structural attributes further confirms its suitability for cost-effective and tunable applications. The PVDF-LNO composite exhibits excellent dielectric absorption properties along with dielectric and magnetic loss, making it ideal for EMI shielding. These results position the nanocomposite as a promising specimen to use in the wide frequency range, especially in satellite communication systems.