FeNi-decorated carbon nanofiber films for lightweight and efficient microwave absorption
摘要
Lightweight, thin and efficient microwave absorption materials (MAMs) are in increasing need due to the electromagnetic (EM) interferences and EM pollution. Carbon nanofiber films are potential absorber as they have high conductance and good flexibility. Nevertheless, the ultrahigh permittivity of the carbon nanofibers leads to a poor impedance matching with air. Therefore, FeNi nanoparticles are decorated to carbon nanofibers, as they have an excellent impedance matching with air. After the introduction of FeNi particles, the transmitted microwaves can penetrate into the FeNi-decorated carbon (FeNi/C) nanofiber films and be converted into heat energy without reflection. The FeNi/C nanofiber films possess a unique nanostructure—including FeNi nanograins encapsulated with ordered graphite carbon, a constructed dielectric/magnetic coupling network, and three-dimensional (3D) conductive networks. Benefitting from these structural advantages, the films realize a synergistic effect between good impedance matching and strong electromagnetic (EM) loss capability. Specifically, the FeNi/C nanofiber films with a loading content of 20 wt% exhibit an outstanding comprehensive EM absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss value (RLmin) achieves − 44.3 dB at 10.4 GHz with a thin thickness of 2.4 mm, and the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL ≤ − 10.0 dB) is 3.1 GHz (8.9–12.0 GHz). In addition, the maximum EAB of 4.5 GHz (13.5–18.0 GHz) is achieved at only 1.7 mm. This study demonstrates that encapsulating magnetic nanoparticles in carbon nanofibers is a good method to construct high-efficiency MAMs.
Graphical abstract