Corrosion and heat-resistant SiCN/C as lightweight fibers for microwave absorption and electromagnetic field shielding in Ku-band

Abstract

SiCN fibers are usually combined with metals to increase the magnetic loss in electromagnetic field (EMF) shielding, but this results in high weight density, easy corrosion, difficult treatment, and high cost of the material. This study proposes the manufacturing of corrosion and heat-resistant ceramic lightweight fibers containing in-situ synthesized carbon nanostructures (SiCN/C) with excellent EMF shielding in Ku-band (12.4–18 GHz). The samples showed differential trends of EMF shielding effectiveness in terms of reflectance, transmittance, and absorption behavior. Compared to SiCN fibers, the EMF absorption was two times greater when carbon was added to the SiCN matrix. A minimum reflection coefficient (S11) of −12 dB was observed for SiCN/C fibers, meaning a high shielding efficiency with >90 % of the EMF energy shielded. On the other hand, SiCN fibers showed a minimum S11 of −7 dB, resulting in a protection of 80 % against EMF energy. Computational simulations clarified the better features of SiCN/C in electromagnetic shielding compared to SiCN, which was ascribed to enhanced conduction loss derived from conductive free carbon, and dipole and interfacial polarization loss generated by defects. The fibers were resistant to acidic and basic environments and oxidation of up to 600 °C. Moreover, the addition of carbon precursor represented a weight decrease of 17 % for SiCN/C compared to SiCN fibers. This research will afford an alternative solution for the manufacturing of SiCN/C fibers with EMF absorption properties that can be used as lightweight materials in harsh environments.