Nanocomposites Shield based on Nitrile butadiene rubber for screening radar electromagnetic radiation for mitigating its Non-Thermal Effects

The increasing use of radar systems has raised concerns about the non-thermal effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on biological systems, prompting the need for effective shielding solutions. This study presents an Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-based nanocomposite shield reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, 2 wt.%), graphene oxide (GO, 1 wt.%), silver nanoparticles (Ag, 2 wt.%), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, 3 wt.%) as a protective agent. The composite was fabricated using a two-roll milling and compression molding process, followed by characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electromagnetic interface ( EMI) Shielding Efficiency Effectiveness (SE) Across Frequency Range. The nanocomposite demonstrated an EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 85.2–88.3% in the X-band frequency range (1–12 GHz). This high efficiency is attributed to the synergistic absorption and reflection mechanisms facilitated by the conductive network formed by multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide within the NBR matrix. Under simulated radar electromagnetic radiation exposure, the shield significantly reduced non-thermal effects, including oxidative stress and infertility risk, compared to unshielded samples. In addition, the composite exhibited robust mechanical properties, ensuring its suitability for practical applications in protective devices. This research highlights the potential of NBR-based nanocomposites as versatile materials for mitigating the harmful non-thermal effects of radar electromagnetic radiation. These findings pave the way for innovative advances in personal protective equipment and environmental protection technologies, providing effective solutions to address the growing concerns associated with electromagnetic radiation exposure. Keywords: NBR-based nanocomposites, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, shielding from electromagnetic interference, non-thermal effects, radar electromagnetic radiation.