Polymer nanocomposites incorporating inorganic nanofillers have emerged as highly promising electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, combining mechanical compliance with robust conductive percolation networks. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are particularly attractive as conductive fillers because their high aspect ratio facilitates percolation at low loadings. Also, CNTs offer superior mechanical durability under deformation compared to rigid, fracture-prone metal nanowires. For EMI shielding, high electrical conductivity is critical as it enhances both reflection and absorption through efficient charge dissipation and conduction losses. However, achieving highly aligned conductive pathways without degrading the intrinsic electrical properties of CNTs remains a significant challenge. Here, we demonstrate a non-destructive magnetic surface-functionalization and alignment strategy. Using a polydopamine (PDA)-mediated route, pristine multiwalled CNTs are uniformly decorated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (FMWCNTs). This enables highly effective magnetic field-driven alignment at fields as low as 10 mT, promoting the strategic formation of percolation networks. By optimizing the Fe₃O₄/MWCNT ratio for high saturation magnetization and uniform coverage, the aligned FMWCNTs exhibit significant electrical anisotropy, delivering a 10.7-fold higher electrical conductivity in the parallel configuration compared to the vertical configuration. These findings present a scalable, room-temperature platform for engineering directionally enhanced conductivity in polymer nanocomposites, with broad applicability in advanced EMI shielding, flexible electronics, and advanced packaging technologies.

Humidity monitoring of exhaled breath has emerged as a vital approach for noninvasive respiratory health assessment, underscoring the need for sensitive and reliable humidity sensors. Despite its high conductivity and hydrophilic functional groups, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) often undergoes irreversible moisture adsorption and gradual oxidation by residual water, resulting in sensitivity degradation and long-term instability during cycling. In this study, a montmorillonite/reduced graphene oxide (MMT/rGO) composite is developed as a room-temperature humidity-sensing material, exhibiting an optimized response of 115%, more than 14 times higher than that of pristine rGO. This superior performance originates from the synergistic interaction between the reversible MMT swelling and the conductive rGO network near the electrical percolation transition, which ensures excellent stability and repeatability under repeated humidity cycles. These findings suggest that the MMT/rGO composite provides a cost-effective and biocompatible platform for next-generation wearable humidity sensors capable of continuous respiratory monitoring.