Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties of carbon nanofibers embedded with ZnO nanocrystals

Carbon-based composites are widely utilized in the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing field in virtue of good dielectric properties, low density, and excellent environmental resistance. Based on the strategy of constructing the heterostructure interfaces, the C/ZnO nanofiber composites with unique 3D cross-linked network have been successfully designed by electrospinning. The results manifest that the C/ZnO nanofiber composites carbonized at 700 celcius have strong EM wave absorbing properties owing to the synergy of the interface polarization, geometrical effect and the less eddy current loss. The maximum reflection loss of the composites at 11.44 GHz is & minus; 61.91 dB under the corresponding thickness of 2.59 mm. Meanwhile, the effective absorption bandwidth can reach as wide as 5.60 GHz, covering almost Ku bands. The advantages of lightweight, easy preparation, low cost and environmentally friendly prove our obtained C/ZnO nanofiber composites a potential material for microwave absorption. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Carbon-based composites with heterostructure interfaces, represented by C/ZnO nanofiber composites, exhibit strong EM wave absorbing properties with an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.60 GHz, showing potential for microwave absorption applications.