M. Muthupandi,
M. Sukanya,
C.L. Annapoorani,
W. Nancy,
Jinugu Ranjith,
Murali Krishna Atmakuri,
D. Marichamy,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Associate Professor, Department of CSE, Kathir College of Engineering, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of BME, Chennai Institute of Technology, Nandhambakkam, Kundrathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of ECE Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CMR College of Engineering & Technology Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, RVR &JC College of Engineering, Chowdavaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Artificial intelligence and Data Science, Vel Tech Multi Tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
The rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies requires electronic components that are adaptable, lightweight, and durable, and that can continue to function well in diverse contexts and circumstances. Polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites have become interesting choices for these kinds of uses because they are more flexible, conduct electricity better, and can be made to fit specific needs. However, improving conductivity in these heterogeneous systems remains a major challenge because of the complex relationships between polymer form, CNT dispersion, interfacial interactions, and processing conditions. This study introduces an explainable machine learning (XML) framework designed to systematically model and enhance conductivity in polymer-CNT nanocomposites, ensuring transparency and interpretability in predictions. The methodology integrates feature attribution techniques with interpretable model architectures to elucidate critical attributes, such as CNT concentration, aspect ratio, polymer crystallinity, and filler alignment, that significantly influence charge transport pathways. The architecture makes it possible to use adaptive tuning strategies to attain the optimum conductivity without giving up flexibility, durability, or ease of fabrication. To test the results, conductivity tests are taken on different compositions and processing methods. To help with material development, model predictions are employed. The knowledge gained helps to make polymer-CNT nanocomposite systems that are flexible, energy-efficient, and long-lasting for wrap-around IoT electronics, which need to be able to bend, stretch, and change with the environment all the time. Adding explainability not only makes things work better, but it also fosters trust, speeds up the search for new materials, and gives a plan for using this method on more multifunctional nanocomposites. The approach ultimately advances next-generation, sustainable electronic materials by combining data-driven optimization with basic physical laws
Keywords: Electrical Conductivity Optimization, Flexible Electronics, Adaptive Optimization Framework, Material Design Interpretability, Long-Term Durability, Polymer–Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites, IoT Wrap-Around Devices.
[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]
M. Muthupandi, M. Sukanya, C.L. Annapoorani, W. Nancy, Jinugu Ranjith, Murali Krishna Atmakuri, D. Marichamy. Implement Explainable Machine Learning to Improve Conductivity in Polymer-CNT Nanocomposites: Supporting Adaptive, Flexible, and Long-Lasting IoT Wrap-Around Electronics Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):238-254.
M. Muthupandi, M. Sukanya, C.L. Annapoorani, W. Nancy, Jinugu Ranjith, Murali Krishna Atmakuri, D. Marichamy. Implement Explainable Machine Learning to Improve Conductivity in Polymer-CNT Nanocomposites: Supporting Adaptive, Flexible, and Long-Lasting IoT Wrap-Around Electronics Applications. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):238-254. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239397
References
- Rathi, B., Thapaswi, S., Kambhampati, M. et al. Realizing the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) in Industrial applications. Discov Internet Things 5, 45 (2025).
- Alahi, M. E. E., Sukkuea, A., Tina, F. W., Nag, A., Kurdthongmee, W., Suwannarat, K., & Mukhopadhyay, S. C. (2023). Integration of IoT-Enabled Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Smart City Scenario: Recent Advancements and Future Trends. Sensors, 23(11), 5206.
- Yan, L., Liu, Z., Wang, J. et al. Integrating Hard Silicon for High-Performance Soft Electronics via Geometry Engineering. Nano-Micro Lett. 17, 218 (2025).
- Yaqoob, S., Ali, Z., Ali, S., & D’Amore, A. (2025). Polystyrene–Carbon Nanotube Composites: Interaction Mechanisms, Preparation Methods, Structure, and Rheological Properties—A Review. Physchem, 5(2), 14.
- Nan, X., Zhang, Y., Shen, J., Liang, R., Wang, J., Jia, L., Yang, X., Yu, W., & Zhang, Z. (2024). A Review of the Establishment of Effective Conductive Pathways of Conductive Polymer Composites and Advances in Electromagnetic Shielding. Polymers, 16(17), 2539.
- Shchegolkov, A. V., Shchegolkov, A. V., Kaminskii, V. V., Iturralde, P., & Chumak, M. A. (2024). Advances in Electrically and Thermally Conductive Functional Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes. Polymers, 17(1), 71.
- Yang, Z., Yang, Y., Huang, Y., Shao, Y., Hao, H., Yao, S., Xi, Q., Guo, Y., Tong, L., Jian, M., Shao, Y., & Zhang, J. (2024). Wet-spinning of carbon nanotube fibers: dispersion, processing and properties. National science review, 11(10), nwae203.
- Sutradhar, S. C., Banik, N., Rahman Khan, M. M., & Jeong, J.-H. (2025). Polymer Gel-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Conductivity and Morphology Engineering for Advanced Sensing Applications. Gels, 11(9), 737.
- Alosious, S., Jiang, M. & Luo, T. Computation and machine learning for materials: Past, present, and future perspectives. MRS Bulletin (2025).
- Sadr, H., Nazari, M., Khodaverdian, Z., Farzan, R., Yousefzadeh-Chabok, S., Ashoobi, M. T., Hemmati, H., Hendi, A., Ashraf, A., Pedram, M. M., Hasannejad-Bibalan, M., & Yamaghani, M. R. (2025). Unveiling the potential of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing disease diagnosis and prediction: a comprehensive review of machine learning and deep learning approaches. European journal of medical research, 30(1), 418.
- Schmidt, J., Marques, M.R.G., Botti, S. et al. Recent advances and applications of machine learning in solid-state materials science. npj Comput Mater 5, 83 (2019).
- Hiremath, P., Bhat, S. K., K., J. P., Rao, P. K., Ambiger, K. D., B. R. N., M., Shetty, S. V. U. K., & Naik, N. (2025). Data-Driven Prediction of Polymer Nanocomposite Tensile Strength Through Gaussian Process Regression and Monte Carlo Simulation with Enhanced Model Reliability. Journal of Composites Science, 9(7), 364.
- Rodrigues, J.F., Florea, L., de Oliveira, M.C.F. et al. Big data and machine learning for materials science. Discov Mater 1, 12 (2021).
- Bolufé-Röhler, A., & Tamayo-Vera, D. (2025). Machine Learning for Enhancing Metaheuristics in Global Optimization: A Comprehensive Review. Mathematics, 13(18), 2909.
- Rudin C. (2019). Stop Explaining Black Box Machine Learning Models for High Stakes Decisions and Use Interpretable Models Instead. Nature machine intelligence, 1(5), 206–215.
- Bhattacharya, M. (2016). Polymer Nanocomposites—A Comparison between Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Clay as Nanofillers. Materials, 9(4), 262.
- Fenta, E. W., & Mebratie, B. A. (2024). Advancements in carbon nanotube-polymer composites: Enhancing properties and applications through advanced manufacturing techniques. Heliyon, 10(16), e36490.
- Pendashteh, A., Mikhalchan, A., Blanco Varela, T., & Vilatela, J. J. (2024). Opportunities for nanomaterials in more sustainable aviation. Discover nano, 19(1), 208.
- Song, Z., Zhou, S., Qin, Y., Xia, X., Sun, Y., Han, G., Shu, T., Hu, L., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Flexible and Wearable Biosensors for Monitoring Health Conditions. Biosensors, 13(6), 630.
- Malashin, I., Tynchenko, V., Gantimurov, A., Nelyub, V., & Borodulin, A. (2025). Boosting-Based Machine Learning Applications in Polymer Science: A Review. Polymers, 17(4), 499.
- Sangroniz, L., Landa, M., Fernández, M., & Santamaria, A. (2021). Matching Rheology, Conductivity and Joule Effect in PU/CNT Nanocomposites. Polymers, 13(6), 950
- Kyrylyuk, A. V., & van der Schoot, P. (2008). Continuum percolation of carbon nanotubes in polymeric and colloidal media. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(24), 8221–8226.
- Fan, Y. (2025). Atomistic Modeling of Microstructural Defect Evolution in Alloys Under Irradiation: A Comprehensive Review. Applied Sciences, 15(16), 9110.
- Sheikh, T., & Behdinan, K. (2024). Fused Deposition Modelling of Thermoplastic Polymer Nanocomposites: A Critical Review. C, 10(2), 29.
- Yang Lu, Manik Chandra Biswas, Zhanhu Guo, Ju-Won Jeon, Evan K. Wujcik, Recent developments in bio-monitoring via advanced polymer nanocomposite-based wearable strain sensors, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 123, (2019) 167-177.
- Baruah, R. K., Yoo, H., & Lee, E. K. (2023). Interconnection Technologies for Flexible Electronics: Materials, Fabrications, and Applications. Micromachines, 14(6), 1131.
- Kim, H., Kim, D., Kim, J. et al. Advances and perspectives in fiber-based electronic devices for next-generation soft systems. npj Flex Electron 9, 84 (2025).
- Kumar, P. G., Kumaresan, V., & Velraj, R. (2017). Stability, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity enhancement of multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofluid using gum arabic. Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, 25(4), 230–240.
- Champa-Bujaico, E., García-Díaz, P., & Díez-Pascual, A. M. (2022). Machine Learning for Property Prediction and Optimization of Polymeric Nanocomposites: A State-of-the-Art. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(18), 10712.
- Kusne, A. G., Yu, H., Wu, C., Zhang, H., Hattrick-Simpers, J., DeCost, B., Sarker, S., Oses, C., Toher, C., Curtarolo, S., Davydov, A. V., Agarwal, R., Bendersky, L. A., Li, M., Mehta, A., & Takeuchi, I. (2020). On-the-fly closed-loop materials discovery via Bayesian active learning. Nature communications, 11(1), 5966.
- Faraji Niri, M., Aslansefat, K., Haghi, S., Hashemian, M., Daub, R., & Marco, J. (2023). A Review of the Applications of Explainable Machine Learning for Lithium–Ion Batteries: From Production to State and Performance Estimation. Energies, 16(17), 6360.

Journal of Polymer & Composites
| Volume | 14 |
| Special Issue | 01 |
| Received | 25/08/2025 |
| Accepted | 01/11/2025 |
| Published | 13/02/2026 |
| Publication Time | 172 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics