A Flexible Sandwich Structure Carbon Fiber Cloth with Resin Coating Composite Improves Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Performance at Low Frequency

In order to improve the electromagnetic wave absorbing performance of carbon fiber cloth at low frequency and reduce the secondary pollution caused by the shielding mechanism, a flexible sandwich composite was designed by a physical mixing coating process. This was composed of a graphene layer that absorbed waves, a carbon fiber cloth layer that reflected waves, and a graphite layer that absorbed transmitted waves. The influence of the content of graphene was studied by a control variable method on the electromatic and mechanical properties. The structures of defect polarization relaxation and dipole polarization relaxation of graphene, the interfacial polarization and electron polarization of graphite, the conductive network formed in the carbon fiber cloth, and the interfacial polarization of each part, combined together to improve the impedance matching and wave multiple reflections of the material. The study found that the sample with 40% graphene had the most outstanding absorbing performance. The minimum reflection loss value was −18.62 dB, while the frequency was 2.15 GHz and the minimum reflection loss value compared to the sample with no graphene increased 76%. The composites can be mainly applied in the field of flexible electromagnetic protection, such as the preparation of stealth tent, protective covers of electronic boxes, helmet materials for high-speed train drivers, etc.

Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties of Ultrathin MnO2 Nanosheet-Decorated Spherical Flower-Shaped Carbonyl Iron Powder

In this work, spherical flower-shaped composite carbonyl iron powder@MnO2 (CIP@MnO2) with CIP as the core and ultrathin MnO2 nanosheets as the shell was successfully prepared by a simple redox reaction to improve oxidation resistance and electromagnetic wave absorption properties. The microwave-absorbing properties of CIP@MnO2 composites with different filling ratios (mass fractions of 20%, 40%, and 60% after mixing with paraffin) were tested and analyzed. The experimental results show that compared with pure CIP, the CIP@MnO2 composites have smaller minimum reflection loss and a wider effective absorption bandwidth than CIP (RL < −20 dB). The sample filled with 40 wt% has the best comprehensive performance, the minimum reflection loss is −63.87 dB at 6.32 GHz, and the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −20 dB) reaches 7.28 GHz in the range of 5.92 GHz–9.28 GHz and 11.2 GHz–15.12 GHz, which covers most C and X bands. Such excellent microwave absorption performance of the spherical flower-like CIP@MnO2 composites is attributed to the combined effect of multiple beneficial components and the electromagnetic attenuation ability generated by the special spherical flower-like structure. Furthermore, this spherical flower-like core–shell shape aids in the creation of discontinuous networks, which improve microwave incidence dispersion, polarize more interfacial charges, and allow electromagnetic wave absorption. In theory, this research could lead to a simple and efficient process for producing spherical flower-shaped CIP@MnO2 composites with high absorption, a wide band, and oxidation resistance for a wide range of applications.

In situ regulation of microstructure and microwave-absorbing properties of FeSiAl through HNO3 oxidation

Wrapping insulation of coatings is effective for enhancing the microwave-absorbing properties (MAPs) of ferromagnetic absorbents (FMAs). However, the process is still limited by the low bonding strength with the matrix. Herein, an in situ regulation strategy based on the preparation of thin thickness and strong adhesion insulating layers through HNO3 oxidation was developed to address the limitations. The oxidation process of FeSiAl (FSA) powders was carried out by HNO3 following three main steps. First, the original oxide layer first reacted with HNO3 to form Fe3+ and Al3+. Second, the oxide layer composed of Al2O3 and Fe3O4 was preferentially formed due to the negative change in Gibbs free energy. Finally, the oxide and pigment-deposition layers were subjected to competitive growth and dissolution accompanied by the dissolution of Fe and Al atoms. Oxidation time up to 10 min resulted in the formation of a bilayer structure with a thickness of ∼50 nm on the FSA surface, as well as an outer layer crammed of Al(OH)3 and Fe(OH)3, and an inner layer containing mixed Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, and SiO2. The MAPs of as-treated FSA achieved minimum reflection loss (RL) of −25.90 dB at 13.36 GHz, as well as absorption bandwidth of 5.61 GHz (RL < −10 dB) at 10.13–15.74 GHz and thickness of 2.5 mm. In sum, the developed route looks promising for the preparation of high-performance FMAs.

3D Ultralight Hollow NiCo Compound@MXene Composites for Tunable and High-Efficient Microwave Absorption

The 3D hollow hierarchical architectures tend to be designed for inhibiting stack of MXene flakes to obtain satisfactory lightweight, high-efficient and broadband absorbers. Herein, the hollow NiCo compound@MXene networks were prepared by etching the ZIF 67 template and subsequently anchoring the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets through electrostatic self-assembly. The electromagnetic parameters and microwave absorption property can be distinctly or slightly regulated by adjusting the filler loading and decoration of Ti3C2Tx nanoflakes. Based on the synergistic effects of multi-components and special well-constructed structure, NiCo layered double hydroxides@Ti3C2Tx (LDHT-9) absorber remarkably achieves unexpected effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.72 GHz with a thickness of 2.10 mm, covering the entire Ku-band. After calcination, transition metal oxide@Ti3C2Tx (TMOT-21) absorber near the percolation threshold possesses minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value of − 67.22 dB at 1.70 mm within a filler loading of only 5 wt%. This work enlightens a simple strategy for constructing MXene-based composites to achieve high-efficient microwave absorbents with lightweight and tunable EAB."Image missing"

Effects of Multi-Components on the Microwave Absorption and Dielectric Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Carbon Nanotube/Y2O3/ZrB2 Ceramics

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced Y2O3/ZrB2 ceramics were fabricated via planetary ball milling and atmospheric-pressure plasma spraying for the first time. The phase composition, micromorphology, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance of the Y2O3/ZrB2/CNT hybrid was investigated from 8.2 to 12.4 GHz. Both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity were enhanced as the ZrB2 and CNT content increased. The Y2O3/ZrB2/CNT hybrids corresponded to a ZrB2 content of 15 wt.%, and the CNT content was 2 wt.% and showed an exceptional EM wave absorption capability, with a minimum reflection loss of −25.7 dB at 1.9 mm thickness, and the effective absorption band was in a full X-band. These results indicate that an appropriate CNT or ZrB2 content can tune the complex permittivity and absorption performance of the Y2O3/ZrB2/CNT ceramics.

Microwave Absorption Performance of Single-Layer and Multi-Layer Structures Prepared by CNTs/Fe3O4 Nonwoven Materials

Electromagnetic radiation can cause serious harm to the human body, such as the rise in body temperature and the decrease in immune function. In this study, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/Fe3O4 nonwovens were used to prepare wearable flexible absorbing materials. First, the single-layer absorbing structures were prepared by hot rolling, dipping, and film fabrication, respectively. Then, the single-layer structures were combined to form the multi-layer absorbing structures. By testing and analyzing the absorbing performance of various structures in the X-band frequency range, the optimum combination scheme was found, together with a good reflection loss value of CNTs/Fe3O4 nonwoven material. The experiment results displayed that the single-layer hot-rolled nonwovens modified by CNTs have the best wave absorbing performance. Its minimum reflection loss of −18.59 dB occurred at 10.55 GHz, and the efficient frequency occurred at 8.86–12.40 GHz. The modified film can significantly improve the absorbing performance of multi-layer structures. In addition, the absorbing performance was closely related to both the place where the absorbing film was introduced and the type of absorbing fillers. When the film-forming CNTs (FC) film was located at the bottom layer of the multi-layer structure, the hot rolled CNTs hot rolled mixed reagent film forming CNTs (HC-HM-FC) structure constructed exhibited the best absorbing effects. Its minimum reflection loss can reach −33 dB, and the effective absorbing frequency range covered half of the X-band.

Structural, microstructural, magnetic and electromagnetic absorption properties of spiraled multiwalled carbon nanotubes/barium hexaferrite (MWCNTs/BaFe12O19) hybrid

Microwave absorption properties were systematically studied for synthesised barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) nanoparticles and spiraled multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybrid. BaFe12O19 nanoparticles were synthesised by a high energy ball milling (HEBM) followed by sintering at 1400 °C and structural, electromagnetic and microwave characteristics have been scrutinized thoroughly. The sintered powders were then used as a catalyst to synthesise spiraled MWCNTs/BaFe12O19 hybrid via the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process. The materials were then incorporated into epoxy resin to fabricate single-layer composite structures with a thickness of 2 mm. The composite of BaFe12O19 nanoparticles showed a minimum reflection loss is − 3.58 dB and no has an absorption bandwidth while the spiraled MWCNTs/BaFe12O19 hybrid showed the highest microwave absorption of more than 99.9%, with a minimum reflection loss of − 43.99 dB and an absorption bandwidth of 2.56 GHz. This indicates that spiraled MWCNTs/BaFe12O19 hybrid is a potential microwave absorber for microwave applications in X and Ku bands.

Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption property of binary ZnO/NiCo2O4 composites

Nowadays, metal oxide-based electromagnetic wave absorbing materials have aroused widely attentions in the application of telecommunication and electronics due to their selectable mechanical and outstanding dielectric properties. Herein, the binary ZnO/NiCo2O4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and the electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the composites were investigated in detail. As a result, benefiting from the dielectric loss, the as-obtained ZnO/NiCo2O4-7 samples possessed a minimum reflection loss value of −33.49 dB at 18.0 GHz with the thickness of 4.99 mm. This work indicates that ZnO/NiCo2O4 composites have the promising candidate applications in electromagnetic wave absorption materials in the future.

Tuning the Dielectric and Microwaves Absorption Properties of N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes by Boron Insertion

It is of great significance to regulate the dielectric parameters and microstructure of carbon materials by elemental doping in pursuing microwave absorption (MA) materials of high performance. In this work, the surface electronic structure of N-doped CNTs was tuned by boron doping, in which the MA performance of CNTs was improved under the synergistic action of B and N atoms. The B,N-doped carbon nanotubes (B,N-CNTs) exhibited excellent MA performance, where the value of minimum reflection loss was −40.04 dB, and the efficient absorption bandwidth reached 4.9 GHz (10.5–15.4 GHz). Appropriate conductance loss and multi-polarization loss provide the main contribution to the MA of B,N-CNTs. This study provides a novel method for the design of CNTs related MA materials.

Improving Impedance Matching of Flaky Carbonyl Iron Based on the Surface Modification by Binary Coupling Agents

In this paper, the impedance matching of the flaky carbonyl iron was improved by surface modification with binary coupling agents. The microstructure, phase and electromagnetic parameters were detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Agilent vector network analyzer, respectively. After binary coupling agent applied, the shape and particle size of the flaky CIP have changed significantly, whereas the phase remained α-Fe phase. On the other hand, with the addition of binary coupling agents, the complex permittivity of flaky CIP is reduced, which is beneficial to impedance matching. The doping with 2wt% calcium stearate and 2ml titanate to flaky CIP has a minimum reflection loss peak of −13 dB at the thickness of 2 mm. It is noted that the effective absorption bandwidth (RL<-10dB) is up to 0.8GHz (1.8~2.6GHz). Moreover, the magnetic tangent loss of the samples can be significantly improved by the addition of binary coupling agents. Therefore, the surface modification of binary coupling agent can make flaky CIP get better impedance matching and absorbing performance in S band.