A quantitative permittivity model for designing electromagnetic wave absorption materials with conduction loss: A case study with microwave-reduced graphene oxide

Abstract

Non-magnetic electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials are receiving research interest for their low weight, chemical stability, and outstanding absorption performance, but the understanding on how conductivity and absorber content affect the EM wave absorption performance is still empirical and qualitative. Here, the materials genome methodology was applied to EM wave absorption materials. A quantitative random network model was proposed for conduction-loss absorbers, which suggested that the complex permittivity of an EM wave absorption mixture was determined by two parameters related with volume fraction and conductivity respectively. The optimal values of these parameters were then screened. To verify the model and screening results, a microwave-reduced graphene oxide was synthesized, and an effective absorption bandwidth of 6.5 GHz at 2.3 mm and 5.7 GHz at 2.0 mm was achieved. It is concluded that materials with high porosity, high dispersivity, and semiconductor-level conductivity are favored for EM wave absorption. This study paves a new way to design conduction-type EM wave absorption materials.