Dual-induced SiC/SME multifunction composite for high-Efficiency broadband electromagnetic wave absorption

Uniformly sized silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC NPs) were prepared using the carbothermal reduction method, and subsequently dispersed into an epoxy resin matrix to create the SiC-shape memory epoxy resin (SSME) composites. The absorption and thermo-mechanical properties of these composites can be tailored by varying the ratio of SiC nanoparticles. When the proportion of SiC nanoparticles is 20wt%, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) is -62.02dB and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is 7.7 GHz at the optimum thickness of 4.25 mm. While the thickness is 4.50 mm, the widest EAB is 8.1 GHz, which almost achieves 99% absorption of the whole X-band and Ku-band. The distance between SiC nanoparticles and the interfacial interaction between the particles and epoxy resin matrix enhances the electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the composites. At the same time, the SSME-3 sample with 20 wt% SiC nanoparticles has better thermal and mechanical prop-erties than other proportions. Compared with the sample without nano-filler, the elastic modulus of SSME-3 increased by 18.48%, the shape recovery rate (Rr) increased by 17.84%, and the MW-induced shape memory recovery speed increased by 125%. Furthermore, a MW-induced shape memory test was conducted to demon-strate that the absorbent material is capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat energy, thereby enabling it to function as a thermal and microwave dual-induced shape memory material. The findings of this study hold great significance for the development of multifunctional, deformable wide-band electromagnetic absorption composites.

Automated summary

Uniformly sized silicon carbide nanoparticles were prepared and dispersed into an epoxy resin matrix to create shape memory epoxy resin (SSME) composites. The ratio of SiC nanoparticles can be varied to tailor the absorption and thermo-mechanical properties of the composites. The composites exhibit excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance and improved thermal and mechanical properties with 20 wt% SiC nanoparticles.