Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption performance of SiCN(Fe) fibers by in-situ generated Fe3Si and CNTs

The SiCN(Fe) fibers with excellent one-dimensional microstructure and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance were synthesized by combining polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) method and electrospinning. The in-situ generation of Fe₃Si and CNTs by adding ferric acetylacetonate (FA) into the raw materials effectively improved the dielectric properties, magnetic properties and the impedance matching performance of the SiCN(Fe) fibers. The EMW absorption performance of SiCN(Fe) fibers were mainly based on dipole polarization loss, interface polarization loss and eddy current loss. The RL_min value of SiCN(Fe) fibers reached ?47.64 dB at 1.38 mm and the effective absorption band (EAB, RL ≤ ?10 dB) reached 4.28 GHz (13.72–18 GHz, 1.35 mm).     

Enhanced EMW absorption properties of SiCN/Fe/Ni ceramics modified with Fe/Ni bimetal

The SiCN/Fe/Ni ceramics codoped with iron acetylacetonate (FA) and nickle acetylacetonate (NA) was synthesized by polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) method in this study. The microstructure, phase composition and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties of the samples were analyzed. The polarization loss and conduction loss of materials were analyzed by the direct current (DC) multimeter and the contribution rate of polarization loss was more than 94% in the whole frequency band. The results showed that C, SiC, Fe₂Si, Ni₃Si, γ- (Fe, Ni) and CNTs were formed after pyrolysis which provided lots of heterogeneous interface and enhanced the interfacial polarization. Meanwhile, Ni could enter the lattice of Fe and formed a unique electronic configuration, which reinforced the conductivity and stability of Fe. In addition, the in-situ generated Fe₂Si and Ni₃Si provided magnetic loss and conduction loss. The RL_min value of SiCN/Fe/Ni-3 ceramic was ?52.06 dB at 1.54 mm and the effective absorption band (EAB, RL ≤ ?10 dB) reached 4.21 GHz (13.79–18 GHz, 1.43 mm).     

Hierarchical carbon nanowires network modified PDCs-SiCN with improved microwave absorption performance

In order to optimize the dielectric performance of polymer derived SiCN ceramics (PDCs-SiCN), carbon nanowires (CNW) were deposited in SiCN by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). Microstructure evolutions, dielectric property and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption capacity of CNW/SiCN were investigated. Results show that carbon nanowires had plentiful pits/defects on their roughened surface and formed hierarchical network in SiCN which benefited the impedance match and generated strong conductivity and polarization loss, enhancing the absorption ability of CNW/SiCN. When CNW accounted for 5.61 wt%, RC_min reached −51 dB with EAB of 3.0 GHz at 2.7 mm in thick, showing excellent microwave absorbing performance. The favorable microwave absorption ability could be ascribed to three aspects including enhanced conductivity loss derived from the excellent conductivity of CNW, polarization loss generated by defects, and multiple reflection loss enhanced by hierarchical network. By comparing the variation tendency between defect concentration and electrical conductivity in CNW/SiCN, it is rational to conclude that the conductivity loss dominated the dielectric loss while the polarization loss and repeated multi-reflection simultaneously worked. This work can be further extended to study regarding the effect of heat-treatment temperature since CNW have the potential to promote the crystallization process of amorphous PDCs thereby improving their dielectric properties.     

Electromagnetic wave absorption properties of polymer-derived magnetic carbon-rich SiCN-based composite ceramics

In this paper, the mixture of Fe and Ni nanoparticles (abbreviated as FeNi) was added to liquid polysilazane (PSZ) as a magnetic source, to prepare a series of magnetic carbon-rich SiCN-based composite ceramics by adjusting the mass ratio of FeNi through the polymer derivation method. The phase composition, microstructure, conductivity, electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance and mechanism of composite ceramics prepared were discussed. The analysis shows that the introduction of magnetism has adjusted the impedance matching and improved the magnetic loss performance of composite ceramics on the whole, and the dielectric loss ability of composite ceramics has been strengthened benefiting from the formation of conductive path of CNTs precipitated by FeNi catalysis in the matrix. Therefore, the addition of magnetic particles improves the EMW absorption peak intensity and effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of composite ceramics. When the addition amount of FeNi was 5 wt%, the sample 5# exhibited the best comprehensive EMW absorption performance: Its minimum reflection loss (RL_min) was ?18 dB and the EAB was 2.5 GHz when the thickness was 1 mm, the EAB covering the C, X and Ku bands can be obtained by adjusting the thickness from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Through calculation, the EAB (EAB_tf) of 5# with a thickness of 1 mm and a filling rate of 1 wt% can reach 50, which is significantly higher than that of a series of SiCN-based composite ceramics previously reported. In addition, the density of 5# was 2.3 g/cm³, and its compressive strength (CS) can reach 337 MPa. The data shows that the composite ceramic 5# prepared in this experiment has the merits of light weight, excellent comprehensive EMW absorption performance and good compression resistance, and is expected to be one of the promising materials in the field of new-generation EMW absorbers.     

Enhanced electromagnetic microwave absorption of Fe/C/SiCN composite ceramics targeting in integrated structure and function

The Fe/C/SiCN composite ceramics were synthesized by polymer-derived method to obtain the integration of structure and functions. The electromagnetic waves (EMW) absorption properties at X and Ku bands were investigated. The addition of nano-sized Fe particles improved the magnetic loss and impedance matching, and the carbon nanotubes generated by the iron in-situ catalysis increased the internal relaxation polarization and interfacial polarization, which together improved the EMW absorption properties significantly. In particular, the Fe/C/SiCN-9 showed the optimum reflection loss (RL) of ?31.06 dB at 10.03 GHz with an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL < ?10 dB) of 3.03 GHz at 2.51 mm, indicating the excellent EMW absorption properties of Fe/C/SiCN composite ceramics.     

Si3N4-BN-SiCN ceramics with unique hetero-interfaces for enhancing microwave absorption properties

SiCN-based ceramics with broadband and strong microwave absorption properties are desired for the structural and functional integration of ceramic matrix composites. The elemental composition and thermal expansion coefficients of the ceramics matrix crucially affect its microstructure and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties. BN layer with lower electrical conductivity and higher specific area, exhibits both the impedance matching characteristic and EMW attenuation in the process of multiple reflections, electrical conductivity loss, dipole polarization and interfacial polarization. Therefore, Si₃N₄-BN-SiCN ceramics, which were synthesized using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) method, construct unique hetero-interface of Si₃N₄-BN, Si₃N₄–SiCN and BN-SiCN. Therefore, the Si₃N₄-BN-SiCN ceramics have outstanding EMW absorption performance and realize an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) that covers the whole X band and the minimum reflection coefficient (RC) reaches -18.43 dB at a thickness of 3.37 mm.     

Dielectric permittivity and microwave absorption properties of transition metal Ni and Mn doped SiC nanowires

In order to enhance the microwave absorption properties of SiC nanowires, two transition metals Ni and Mn were selected as doping elements to improve their electromagnetic parameters. The experimental results indicate that Ni and Mn as catalysts reduce the stacking defect density of SiC nanowires, which will weaken the interfacial polarization loss induced by stacking defects. However, they can increase the electrical conductivity of SiC nanowires and generate new impurity defects, thereby effectively improving the conductance loss and dipole polarization loss. Therefore, the dielectric loss of SiC nanowires is significantly enhanced, but they still do not have considerable magnetic loss capability. In addition, Ni and Mn doping also improves the impedance matching characteristics of SiC nanowires. Therefore, the microwave absorption ability of SiC nanowires is effectively enhanced. As the nanowire filling ratio is 20 wt%, the minimum reflection loss of the Ni_0.01Si_0.99C nanowire is −11.1 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth is 1.1 GHz (9.3–12.4 GHz) at a thickness of 2.8 mm; Mn_0.01Si_0.99C nanowires have a minimum reflection loss of −16.8 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 3.1 GHz (9.3–12.4 GHz) at a thickness of 2.8 mm.     

Enhanced electromagnetic microwave absorption properties of SiCN(Fe) ceramics produced by additive manufacturing via in-situ reaction of ferrocene

SiCN(Fe) ceramics with excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance were successfully prepared from a preceramic polymer doped with ferrocene. Additive manufacturing (Digital Light Processing), providing enhanced structural design ability, was employed to fabricate samples with complex architectures. During pyrolysis, ferrocene catalyzed the in-situ formation of a large amount of turbostratic carbon, graphite and SiC nanosized phases, which formed carrier channels in the electromagnetic field and increased the conductivity loss. Meanwhile, it also increased the dipole polarization, interface polarization and the dielectric properties of the material, which finally enhanced the EMW absorption capacity of SiCN(Fe) ceramics. When containing 0.5 wt% ferrocene, the material showed good performance with EAB 4.57 GHz at 1.30 mm, and RL_min −61.34 dB at 2.22 mm. The RL_min of 3D-SiCN-0.5 ceramics was −6 dB, and the RL of the X-band was lower than −4 dB at 2 mm.     

Fabrication of hierarchical PANI@W-type barium hexaferrite composites for highly efficient microwave absorption

Hexagonal barium ferries is a promising and efficient microwave (MW) absorbing material, but the low dielectric loss and poor conductivity have limited their extensive applications. In this work, a simple tactic of coating conductive polymer PANI on hexaferrite BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ is presented, wherein the dielectric properties are customized, and more significantly, the electromagnetic loss is greatly enhanced. As displayed from structural characterizations, PANI were coated equably on the surface of hexaferrite grains by an in-situ polymerization process. The outcomes exhibit the as-prepared PANI@hexaferrite composite has remarkable electromagnetic wave absorption capacity. When the thickness is 6.0 mm, the minimal RL of ?40.4 dB was achieved at 2.9 GHz. The effective absorption bandwidth (RL < ?20 dB) of 0.65 GHz, 0.53 GHz, 0.65 GHz, 0.52 GHz, 0.46 GHz and 0.39 GHz was achieved separately when the thickness ranges from 4 to 9 mm. The highly efficient MW absorbing performance of PANI@hexaferrite composite were the consequence of multiple loss mechanisms and perfect impedance matching. It is demonstrated that the PANI@hexaferrite composite with excellent MW absorption performance is expected to be potential MW absorbers for extensive applications.     

Bimetallic sulfides embedded into porous carbon composites with tunable magneto-dielectric properties for lightweight biomass- reinforced microwave absorber

Currently, biomass-derived porous carbon materials have great potential for the development of advanced microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) with lightweight, high performance, wide effective bandwidth (EAB), and thin matching thickness. Herein, we reported low-cost, high-performance MAMs for the successful anchoring of Cu-based bimetallic sulfides CuCo₂S₄@CoS₂ on biomass porous carbon (BPC) derived from pistachio shells using a simple carbonization, hydrothermal, and electrostatic self-assembly method. The results demonstrate that the prepared BPC@CuCo₂S₄@CoS₂ composite exhibits excellent microwave absorption due to its balanced impedance matching and the combined effect of conductive loss, dipole polarization, interfacial polarization, dielectric loss, and magnetic loss. To be precise, the minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of BPC@CuCo₂S₄@CoS₂ reaches −64.2 dB at a packing load of 20 wt%, with an EAB of 6.6 GHz and a thickness of 2.3 mm. This work provides new insights into the study of copper-based bimetallic sulfide and BPC composites in MAMs.     

Bridged polysilsesquioxane-derived SiOCN ceramic aerogels for microwave absorption

The development of high-performance microwave absorption materials in harsh environment is highly desirable but challenging. Herein, lightweight silicon oxycarbonitride (SiOCN) ceramic aerogels were fabricated by the pyrolysis of bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels, which was presynthesized by a sol–gel method followed by vacuum drying. The structural order and content of free carbon phase determined by pyrolysis temperature play a critical role in modulating the impedance matching and attenuation capacity. The as-prepared SiOCN aerogel pyrolyzed at 1000°C achieves a minimal reflection loss of −64.2 dB at 8.96 GHz and a broad bandwidth of 5.4 GHz at a low thickness of 2.15 mm. The hierarchical pore structure, abundant heterogeneous amorphous SiOCN/free carbon interfaces, and conductive free carbon phase benefit the superior absorption performance by forming good impedance matching, multiple scattering, interface polarization, and conduction losses. This work provides an insight for the rational design of polymer-derived ceramic aerogel-based microwave absorption materials for potential application under extreme conditions such as high-temperature and oxidation environments.     

Enhanced microwave absorption properties of Fe-doped SiOC ceramics by the magnetic-dielectric loss properties

The combination of multiple loss characteristics is an effective approach to achieve broadband microwave wave absorption performance. The Fe-doped SiOC ceramics were synthesized by polymer derived ceramics (PDCs) method at 1500 °C, and their dielectric and magnetic properties were investigated at 2–18 GHz. The results showed that adding Fe content effectively controlled the composition and content of multiphase products (such as Fe₃Si, SiC, SiO₂ and turbostratic carbon). Meanwhile, the Fe promoted the change of the grain size. The Fe₃Si enhanced the magnetic loss, and the SiC and turbostratic carbon generated by PDCs process significantly increased the polarization and conductance loss. Besides, the magnetic particles Fe₃Si and dielectric particles SiO₂ improved the impedance matching, which was beneficial to EM wave absorption properties. Impressively, the Fe-doped SiOC ceramics (with Fe addition of 3 wt %) presented the minimum reflection coefficient (RC_min) of ?20.5 dB at 10.8 GHz with 2.8 mm. The effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RC < ?10 dB) covered a wide frequency range from 5 GHz to 18 GHz (covered the C, X and Ku-band) when the absorbent thickness increased from 2 mm to 5 mm. Therefore, this research opens up another strategy for exploring novel SiOC ceramics to design the good EM wave-absorbing materials with broad absorption bandwidth and thin thickness.     

Fabrication method,dielectric properties,and electromagnetic absorption performance of high alumina fly ash-based ceramic composites

Mullite-Al₂O₃-SiC composites were in-situ synthesized through carbothermal reduction reaction of fly ash (FA) with a high alumina content and activated carbon (AC). The effects of sintering temperature, holding time, and amount of AC on the β-SiC yield, microstructure, dielectric properties, and electromagnetic (EM) absorption performance of the composites in the 2–18 GHz frequency range were studied. The results show that increasing the AC improves the porosities of the composites, with the highest porosity of 56.17% observed. The β-SiC yield varies considerably as the sintering parameters were altered, with a maximum yield of 23% achieved under conditions of 12 wt% AC, 1400 °C sintering temperature, and 3 h holding time. With a thickness of 3.5 mm, this composite has excellent EM absorption performance, exhibiting a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of -51.55 dB at 7.60 GHz. Significantly, the maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) reaches 3.39 GHz when the thickness is 3.0 mm. These results demonstrate that the composite prepared under ideal conditions can absorb 99.99% of the waves passing through it. Because of the interfacial polarization, conductive loss, and impedance matching of the heterostructure, the synthesized mullite-Al₂O₃-SiC composites with densities ranging from 1.43 g/cm³ to 1.62 g/cm³ demonstrate outstanding EM attenuation capabilities. Therefore, this study presents a remarkable way of utilizing fly ash to fabricate inexpensive, functional ceramic materials for EM absorption applications.     

Structure regulation and microwave absorption property of SiCN ceramic aerogels produced by catalytic pyrolysis

In the present work, polymer-derived SiCN ceramic aerogels (PDCA-SiCN) were fabricated via a combined sol-gel/freeze drying/polymer precursor conversion method. The microstructure of PDCA-SiCN was studied by regulating the synthesis temperature and time during the sol-gel process. PDCA-SiCN showed a unique three-dimensional network structure, and the specific surface area and pore size of PDCA-SiCN prepared at 150 °C for 20 h were 134 g/m² and 18 nm, respectively. To assess the electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) properties of PDCA-SiCN, the materials were uniformly blended with common paraffin, and the influence of PDCA-SiCN/paraffin ratio on the EMA properties was also investigated. The sample with a PDCA-SiCN/paraffin ratio of 20:80 exhibited the best EMA performance, with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −43.37 dB at 7.6 GHz and electromagnetic absorption bandwidth of 3.8 GHz, which correspond to an absorption of 99.99 % of the electromagnetic waves. The excellent EMA properties of PDCA-SiCN could be attributed to a synergistic effects of good impedance matching, multiple reflections and high dielectric loss.     

Polymer-derived Co2Si(Co)/SiCN composite ceramics with tunable microwave absorption properties

In this paper, Co₂Si(Co)/SiCN composite ceramics were synthesized by simple precursor-derived ceramics method. The phase composition, morphology, and microwave absorption properties of Co₂Si(Co)/SiCN composite ceramics at different pyrolysis temperatures (1000–1400°C) were studied. When pyrolysis temperature was 1300°C, carbon nanowires (CNWs), Co₂Si, Si₂N₂O, SiC and Si₃N₄ were in situ generated and the best electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance was obtained. The minimum reflection loss reached−50.04 dB at 4.81 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth broadened to 3.48 GHz (14.52–18 GHz) at 1.31 mm. The excellent EMW absorption performance mainly comes from the coexistence of multiple loss mechanisms, including the magnetic loss of Co₂Si, the conduction loss of CNWs, and the heterogeneous interfaces polarization between varieties of nanocrystals and amorphous ceramic matrix. By adjusting the sample thickness from 1 to 5 mm, the effective absorption of S1300 can cover the entire X and Ku bands, from 3.36 to 18 GHz. This study provides a simple way to synthesize high performance ceramic-based microwave absorbing materials.     

Enhanced electromagnetic microwave absorption of SiC nanowire-reinforced PDC-SiC ceramics catalysed by rare earth

Rare earth elements can modulate the dielectric constant of materials and significantly improve their dielectric properties. Herein, SiCnws/SiC ceramics were prepared through polymer derived ceramics (PDCs) technology with rare earth Sc particles as the catalyst. The Sc particles promote the precipitation of SiC and C from the matrix. Furthermore, the SiCnws, grown via the vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism, construct the three dimensional (3D) network structure to improve impedance matching and loss characteristics. Remarkably, the SiCnws/SiC ceramics minimum reflection coefficient (RC_min) achieved a value of ?33.2 dB at 9.4 GHz with a thickness of 2.75 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) was 4.2 GHz covering the whole X band. When microwaves permeated into the SiCnws/SiC ceramics, those trapped in the 3D network structure underwent a variety of microwave energy dissipation processes, including multiple reflections, scattering, and interface and dipole polarisation. Consequently, SiCnws-reinforced PDC-SiC ceramics catalysed by rare earth emerge as a promising new approach to enhance electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance.     

Lightweight and robust Ti3C2Tx/carbon nanotubes foam with tuneable and highly efficient microwave absorption performance

In this study, a lightweight and robust Ti₃C₂T_x/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) foam (TCF) was fabricated using HCl-induced self-assembly, followed by vacuum freeze-drying. The electrical conductivity and mechanical elasticity of the TCF was higher than those of monolithic Ti₃C₂T_x foams. This was ascribed to the incorporation of CNTs into Ti₃C₂T_x preventing the stacking of the Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets and producing a well-developed three-dimensional honeycomb-like porous network structure, which considerably improved impedance matching, promoted multiple reflection loss, increased conduction loss and polarisation loss, thus imparting remarkable microwave absorption properties to the TCF. The 1.72 and 1.92 mm thick TCF samples with absorber loadings of 4 wt%, which were obtained by immersing TCF into molten paraffin, followed by cutting it into coaxial rings, presented an optimum reflection loss of ?48.8 dB and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.44 GHz, respectively. Moreover, upon increasing the thickness of the TCF samples from 1.52 to 4.92 mm, the EAB could be regulated from 4.16 to 18 GHz, respectively. In this study, we developed a facile method for fabricating a lightweight and robust TCF, which met the ‘light, thin, broad, and strong’ criteria and presented a broad EAB and remarkable dissipation capability, for microwave absorption materials.     

Broadband electromagnetic wave absorption of Ni0.5Zn0.5Nd0.04Fe1.96O4 ferrites modified by nano-silver particles

Ferrite materials have the potential to become excellent absorbing materials due to their high magnetic loss and good impedance matching. However, the disadvantages of high density and lack of dielectric loss capability limit its application. Herein, we used the citric acid sol-gel method and the self-propagating combustion method to prepare neodymium-doped nickel-zinc ferrite (NZNF), then the target effect of Sn²⁺ and an improved electroless silver plating process was used to plate a layer composed of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with strong dielectric loss on the NZNF, and a magnetic/dielectric composite material (NZNF@Ag) with a heterogeneous structure was prepared. The number and particle size of Ag NPs on the surface of NZNF can be precisely controlled, thereby greatly enhancing the dielectric loss capability with little impact on the magnetic loss. The huge difference in conductivity between conductors and semiconductors promotes the occurrence of polarization at the heterogeneous interface and significantly enhances the electromagnetic wave absorption ability of the composite material. In the 2–18 GHz frequency band, the best sample can obtain an effective bandwidth of 6.82 GHz when the matching thickness is 2.1 mm. Combining conductors with semiconductor materials to obtain significantly enhanced interfacial polarization provides a new idea for improving the performance of wave absorbing materials.     

Construction of Si3N4/SiO2/SiC–Y2Si2O7 composite ceramics with gradual impedance matching structure for high-temperature electromagnetic wave absorption

Good impedance matching is vital in upgrading the performance of electromagnetic (EM) wave-absorbing materials. In this study, Si₃N₄/SiO₂/SiC–Y₂Si₂O₇ composite ceramics were synthesized by sintering and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) technology with gradual impedance matching. The relationship between the microstructure of the as-prepared composite ceramics and EM wave absorption characteristics was thoroughly explored. It was found that the amorphous Si₃N₄, SiO₂, and SiC layers were constructed with a gradual impedance matching structure, which not only improved impedance matching but also increased the number of nano interfaces. More importantly, SiC nanocrystals effectively increased the conduction loss, and the presence of defects and nanoscale heterogeneous interfaces further increased the polarization loss. Consequently, the as-prepared composite ceramics displayed enhanced EM wave absorption properties, with a minimum reflection coefficient (RC_min) value of less than ?20 dB over a temperature range of 25 °C (RT)-300 °C, and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) maintained at 4.2 GHz with the thickness range of 3.75–4.75 mm. These results demonstrated the practical significance of high-performance EM wave absorption materials that can be applied in high-temperature and water vapor environments.     

Construction of EG/SiOC@C porous structure by direct ink writing and in-situ vapor self - Deposition to enhance microwave absorption

In this work, expanded graphite (EG) was dispersed inside modified polysiloxane resin and successfully printed various cellular structures with span feature via ultraviolet-thermal field co-assisted direct ink writing. The carbon-rich layer was in-situ deposited in the designed porous structure surface by no gas flow pyrolysis process. The characterization of Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the deposited cladding structure possessed amounts of sp²-C, and mainly bonds to the matrix in the manner of Si–C. The presence of cladding structure played a vital role in enhancing the electric conductivity and interface polarization, resulting in excellent microwave absorption performance. The addition of expanded graphite also improved the dielectric property by reinforcing the internal interfacial polarization and achieving a good impedance matching. Finally, the structure reached a minimum reflection loss of −59.31 dB at the thickness of 2.8 mm, and a broadband absorption of 4.2 GHz in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) at 3.1 mm, covering the whole X band. The novelty strategy of controlling the surface state by pyrolysis vapor self-deposition can open a new avenue to tailor the functional characteristic of materials, especially on the assist of direct ink writing which can easy realize complex structural geometry on-demand.