With advancements in the automated industry, electromagnetic inferences (EMI) have been increasing over time, causing major distress among the end-users and affecting electronic appliances. The issue is not new and major work has been done, but unfortunately, the issue has not been fully eliminated. Therefore, this review intends to evaluate the previous carried-out studies on electromagnetic shielding materials with the combination of Graphene@Iron, Graphene@Polymer, Iron@Polymer and Graphene@Iron@Polymer composites in X-band frequency range and above to deal with EMI. VOSviewer was also used to perform the keyword analysis which shows how the studies are interconnected. Based on the carried-out review it was observed that the most preferable materials to deal with EMI are polymer-based composites which showed remarkable results. It is because the polymers are flexible and provide better bonding with other materials. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyaniline (PANI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are effective in the X-band frequency range, and PDMS, epoxy, PVDF and PANI provide good shielding effectiveness above the X-band frequency range. However, still, many new combinations need to be examined as mostly the shielding effectiveness was achieved within the X-band frequency range where much work is required in the higher frequency range.

Graphical Abstract

The methodology of this study involves a comprehensive review of past literature on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The selection criteria were specific, focusing on articles that included combinations such as Graphene@Iron, Graphene@Polymer, Iron@Polymer, and Graphene@Iron@Polymer composites. Additionally, articles on metals combined with graphene were also included. The articles were sourced from all available databases without any year limitations to ensure a thorough collection of relevant studies. Subsequently, a keyword analysis was conducted using VOSviewer to identify the relationships and interconnectivity among the selected articles. Through this detailed review, the study aims to highlight research gaps in the field of EMI shielding materials, providing guidance for future research endeavors.

Figure 2. Schematic illustration of electromagnetic wave strike on protected device.

Improved Electromagnetic Shielding: Graphene and iron reinforced polymer composites have shown promising electromagnetic shielding capabilities due to their unique electrical and magnetic properties. This could lead to more effective shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) in various electronic devices and systems.

Enhanced Sustainability: By combining graphene and iron with polymers, the composite materials may exhibit enhanced performance compared to traditional shielding materials. This could include better shielding effectiveness, broader frequency range coverage, and lighter weight, making them attractive for a wide range of applications.

Cost-effectiveness: Depending on the synthesis methods and material availability, these composite materials could potentially offer a cost-effective solution for electromagnetic shielding compared to other conventional materials. This could be particularly beneficial for industries where cost considerations are crucial.

Versatility: Graphene and iron reinforced polymer composites offer versatility in design and application. They can be tailored to specific requirements such as flexibility, durability, and ease of manufacturing, making them suitable for diverse applications ranging from aerospace and automotive to consumer electronics and telecommunications.

Environmental Benefits: If these composite materials are developed using sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, they could contribute to reducing environmental impact compared to traditional materials. This is particularly important as industries increasingly focus on sustainability and green technologies.

Graphene family for EMI shielding

Various studies have been performed on EMI applications, but there are still a few limitations and drawbacks in the carried-out work which requires vital attention. Researchers have tried different methods to synthesize composites, however, adoption criteria for the different material synthesis methods is still missing in the literature. Although graphene is a significant material in composite formation, its dispersion is not easy. Similar is the case of polymers, where researchers usually did not properly quote the appropriate amount of solvent and curing agent which is required to mix polymers with graphene and iron. Besides that, in EMI applications, few researchers have calculated the reflection properties, few find the absorption and few have calculated the overall EMI shielding value. Bringing the discussion into a net shell, researchers did not provide complete information about the composite synthesis process which makes it difficult to understand the role of different methods, amount of added solvent and curing agent, and the temperature effect during the whole composite-formation process. Considering the above statement, besides exploring the new combinations, there is a need to evaluate the comparison of methods for composites formation with their required parameters. Moreover, it needs to be stated that even in EMI shielding effectiveness which material performs better in absorption, and which performs better in reflection, as the composite applications may vary according to the influenced EMI working field. Moreover, new combinations of graphene-based polymers need further exploration in the higher frequency range as most of them currently dealing within the X-band frequency range.

The market potential for electromagnetic shielding materials, particularly those incorporating graphene, iron, and polymers, appears to be substantial given the increasing concern over electromagnetic interference (EMI) in electronic appliances. As advancements in automation continue, the prevalence of EMI is likely to rise, heightening the demand for effective shielding solutions.

Composites shielding effectiveness higher than X-band range.