Hierarchical core/shell bamboo-like polypyrrole nanofibers/Fe3O4 hybrids with superior microwave absorption performance

Abstract

ABSTRACTDesign and fabrication of structurally optimized microwave absorbing materials are important for eliminating electromagnetic (EM) pollution. Herein, we reported the novel highly regulated core/shell bamboo-like polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibers/Fe3O4 hybrids as the efficient microwave absorbing materials. Typically, the target hybrid materials were prepared by a two-step method, including synthesis of bamboo-like PPy nanofibers using vapor polymerization of PPy on tubular vanadium pentoxide templates and coprecipitation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of bamboo-like PPy nanofibers. Owing to good impedance matching and hierarchical structure, as-prepared core/shell bamboo-like PPy nanofibers/Fe3O4 hybrids exhibit superior microwave absorption and broad absorption bandwidths compared with conventional PPy/Fe3O4 composites. The lowest reflection loss of core/shell bamboo-like PPy nanofibers/Fe3O4 hybrid is calculated to be −41.6 dB at 10.0 GHz with the thickness of 2.5 mm. Furthermore, the absorption bandwidths exceeding −10 dB are more than 8.0 GHz with thickness of 2.0–3.5 mm. Therefore, this work provides an efficient way to obtain high-performance microwave absorber with lightweight, strong absorption and wide absorption bandwidths.