Synthesis, characterization and microwave absorption properties of dendrite-like Fe3O4 embedded within amorphous sugar carbon matrix

Magnetite dendrites/sugar carbon (MDs/SC) nanocomposites, embedding MDs within amorphous SC matrix, were prepared by simple carbonization-reduction method using alpha-Fe2O3 dendrites (HDs) as precursor of MDs and sucrose as SC source, while still maintain the dendritic shape of the precursor. The morphology, composition, structure and static magnetic properties of the as-prepared MDs/SC nanocomposites were characterized by various techniques thoroughly. Particularly, the electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of the MDs/SC and MDs paraffin composites (40 wt.%) were compared over 2-14 GHz. The results show that the microwave absorption performance of MDs/SC samples is comparable or even superior to that of MDs case. The absorption band with reflection loss (RL) below -20 dB for one of the MDs/SC samples can cover the whole X-band (8-12 GHz) with thickness of 1.8-2.4 mm when the content of MDs in the MDs/SC nanocomposite is 25.8 wt.%, and the minimum RL can reach -49.9 dB at 12.1 GHz when the layer thickness is only 1.9 mm. The excellent microwave absorption properties of the MDs/SC paraffin composites are attributed to the proper match between the complex permittivity and permeability, and the unique fractal structures of MDs. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.