Structural Engineering of Hierarchical Magnetic/Carbon Nanocomposites via In Situ Growth for High-Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

doi:10.1007/s40820-024-01396-3

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Abstract

Materials exhibiting high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption have garnered considerable scientific and technological attention, yet encounter significant challenges. Developing new materials and innovative structural design concepts is crucial for expanding the application field of electromagnetic wave absorption. Particularly, hierarchical structure engineering has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the physical and chemical properties of materials, providing immense potential for creating versatile electromagnetic wave absorption materials. Herein, an exceptional multi-dimensional hierarchical structure was meticulously devised, unleashing the full microwave attenuation capabilities through in situ growth, self-reduction, and multi-heterogeneous interface integration. The hierarchical structure features a three-dimensional carbon framework, where magnetic nanoparticles grow in situ on the carbon skeleton, creating a necklace-like structure. Furthermore, magnetic nanosheets assemble within this framework. Enhanced impedance matching was achieved by precisely adjusting component proportions, and intelligent integration of diverse interfaces bolstered dielectric polarization. The obtain Fe₃O₄-Fe nanoparticles/carbon nanofibers/Al-Fe₃O₄-Fe nanosheets composites demonstrated outstanding performance with a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) value of − 59.3 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ − 10 dB) extending up to 5.6 GHz at 2.2 mm. These notable accomplishments offer fresh insights into the precision design of high-efficient electromagnetic wave absorption materials.

Key words： Electromagnetic wave absorption Hierarchical structure In situ growth Self-reduction

Received: 31 January 2024 Published: 15 April 2024

Corresponding Authors: Xianyong Lu

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	Xianyuan Liu
	Jinman Zhou
	Ying Xue
	Xianyong Lu

Cite this article:

Xianyuan Liu,Jinman Zhou,Ying Xue, et al. Structural Engineering of Hierarchical Magnetic/Carbon Nanocomposites via In Situ Growth for High-Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption[J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 174-.

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https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/10.1007/s40820-024-01396-3 OR https://www.qk.sjtu.edu.cn/nml/EN/Y2024/V16/I1/174

Fig. 1 Fabricating process of a α-Fe2O3@ANFs, b Al-α-Fe2O3 nanosheets, and c Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe nanocomposites

Fig. 2 SEM images of a ANFs aerogel, b CNFs, c α-Fe2O3@ANFs aerogel, d Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs, e α-Fe2O3@ANFs/Al-α-Fe2O3 aerogel, f Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe, and g Al-α-Fe2O3 nanosheets. h XRD patterns of CNFs, α-Fe2O3@ANFs, Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs, and Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. i Structure diagram of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe

Fig. 3 STEM images of a ANFs, b α-Fe2O3@ANFs, and d Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. c High-resolution TEM of α-Fe2O3 in α-Fe2O3@ANFs. e High-resolution TEM image of Fe3O4-Fe in Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe and its corresponding f SAED image. g-j Elemental mapping images of Fe, O, C, N in Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe

Fig. 4 a Magnetic hysteresis loops of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs nanoparticles, Al-Fe3O4 nanosheets, and Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. b Raman spectra of CNFs, Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs particles, and Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. XPS spectra of c survey scan and d O 1s of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs, and Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. e XPS spectra of Fe 2p of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. f TGA curves of ANFs, α-Fe2O3@ANFs, and α-Fe2O3@ANFs/Al-α-Fe2O3

Fig. 5 Frequency dependence of a the real part (εʹ) and b imaginary part (εʺ) of the complex permittivity, c dielectric loss tangent, d the real part (μʹ) and e imaginary part (μʺ) of the complex permeability, and f magnetic loss tangent of CNFs, Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs, Al-Fe3O4, Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe, and Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe(1:2)

Fig. 6 3D reflection loss curves maps of a CNFs, b Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs, c Al-Fe3O4, d Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe, and e Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe(1:2). f 2D contour map of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe(1:2). g 2D reflection loss curve of Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe. h 3D plots of minimum reflection loss evaluation at different thicknesses of samples. i Comprehensive comparison on minimum reflection loss and effective absorption bandwidths of samples

Table 1

Comparison of this work with reported materials for EMW absorption

Fig. 7 CST simulation results. 3D RCS plots for a PEC substrate and b PEC covered with Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe, size: 180 × 180 × 2.5 mm3. c Simulated RCS values of samples under certain detecting angles. d Airplane covered with Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe coating. Forward view RCS curve of the airplane at 10 GHz under e horizontal polarization and f vertical polarization. Top view RCS curve of the airplane at 10 GHz under g horizontal polarization and h vertical polarization

Fig. 8 Schematic illustration of the microwave absorption mechanisms of the Fe3O4-Fe@CNFs/Al-Fe3O4-Fe

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