Investigations on the EMI effectiveness of zinc-based metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOF) combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphite rods

Abstract

The search for hybrid structures that can outperform conventional carbon-based systems has been intensified due to the need for lightweight, broadest, and the highest absorbing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. In this work, we investigate a Zn-based metal–organic framework (ZIF-8) integrated with reduced graphene oxide(rGO) and backed with electroconductive graphite rods, which is developed to build a proficient EMI shielding architecture. The design combines a porous dielectric framework (Zn-MOF) with a conductive rGO network and extended graphite pathways to achieve enhanced absorption-driven attenuation. The Zn-MOF@rGO 1 mm pellet measures 20 to 23 dB of shielding effectiveness (SET) across X-band (7.1 to 12.5 GHz), proving the dielectric loss is moderate from interfacial polarisation within the hybrid microstructure. The SET increases to around 25 dB for a 6 mm graphite rod, while for a 15 mm graphite rod, the SET levels up to 45 to 50 dB. It reaches up to ~ 45–50 dB for gr15, highlighting the synergistic enhancement from additional conductive paths and multiple internal reflections. Frequency-dependent SER and SEA analysis confirms that the shielding is absorption-dominated, reducing unwanted, secondary reflections. The results distinguish the Zn-MOF@rGO/graphite hybrid as a structurally simple and scalable candidate to fulfil the requirements of next-generation EMI shielding in electronics, aerospace, and novel 5G environments. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.