Nanofibrous membrane constructed magnetic materials for high-efficiency electromagnetic wave absorption

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of modern technology, electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials become more and more indispensable to daily life and even national strategic areas. However, how to fabricate such materials in a manner of high-efficiency and broad frequency range remains a challenge and highly desired. Here, we proposed a new route to produce high performance EM wave membranes by combined techniques of electrospinning, stabilization and carbonization processes. NiFe2O4 nanoparticles and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were respectively selected as the effective magnetic material and dielectric material to construct the highly flexible NiFe2O4/MWCNTs doped carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The fabricated composite membrane exhibits superior EM wave absorption behavior in a wide frequency range. For the EM wave absorption performance in C-band (4–8 GHz), X-band (8–12 GHz) and Ku-band (12–18 GHz), the reflection loss (RL) exceeding −20 dB are obtained in the frequency range of 5.36–18 GHz at a sample thickness of 2–5 mm. Similarly, the RL value of 45.60 dB can be realized for NiFe2O4/MWCNTs CNFs with a bandwidth of 12.96 GHz at a thickness of 2.5 mm. The as-synthesized NiFe2O4/MWCNTs CNFs nanofibrous membrane can be a promising candidate for light-weight and excellent EM wave absorbers. This research will afford an alternative solution for the fabrication of EM wave absorbing materials for wide practical applications.