Ion Beam Irradiated Polyvinylidene Fluoride–Nickel Oxide Nanocomposites for Efficient Electromagnetic Shielding and Microwave Absorption

ABSTRACT Effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is critical for the reliable operation of modern electronics amid increasing electromagnetic pollution. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a lightweight ferroelectric polymer with dipolar polarization, offers moderate EMI shielding but suffers from low conductivity and limited absorption. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of EMI shielding performance in PVDF thin films embedded with semiconducting nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles and irradiated with 100 MeV oxygen ions at varied fluences. The inclusion of NiO enhances interfacial polarization and absorption, addressing the limitations of pure PVDF. Nanocomposite films of thickness 210 ± 10 μm were fabricated via solution casting and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy integrated with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy for phase, structure, morphology, and elemental analysis. EMI shielding effectiveness and dielectric properties were measured in the Ku‐band (12.4–18 GHz). A peak EMI‐SE of 62.80 dB at 18 GHz was achieved—classified highly effective as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D4935‐18—making the material suitable for advanced shielding applications. Ion irradiation further enhanced shielding via multiple internal reflections within ion‐modified waveguides. Additionally, microwave absorption reached 99.9% across the Ku‐band for optimized films. These results demonstrate the potential of ion‐irradiated PVDF‐NiO nanocomposites for high‐performance, lightweight EMI shielding in aerospace, medical, and electronic devices.