Multiple interfacial Fe3C/MnO/NC composites towards high-performance microwave absorption

Abstract

Exploring high-performance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers remains a formidable challenge in the face of severe EMW radiation and interference. The incorporation of manganese oxide into carbon matrix magnetic composites is proposed to enhance the EMW absorption properties in this work. Multiple interfacial ternary-component Fe3C/MnO/Nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) absorbers were synthesized through facile hydrothermal, oxidative polymerization and carbothermal reduction processes. The results indicated that the composites designed exhibit excellent EMW absorption properties, with an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.88 GHz (13.12–18 GHz) at a mere thickness of 1.5 mm. The outstanding performance of EMW absorption can be attributed to the effective modulation of electromagnetic parameters through a large number of heterogeneous interfaces, defects, and magnetic loss. Meanwhile, adjusting the filling ratios of the composites in the absorber also can significantly adjust the electromagnetic parameters of the samples. This work presents effective approach for the preparation of high-performance EMW absorbers with ternary components, as well as a strategy for developing novel broadband absorbers that are lightweight and have thin thickness.