Flexible SiC-CNTs hybrid fiber mats for tunable and broadband microwave absorption

Flexible microwave absorbers with high stability are in increasing demand for the applications under harsh conditions. SiC as a functional ceramic material has the feature of high environmental tolerance and adjustable electromagnetic (EM) absorbing properties, making them suitable to be applied for harsh environments. However, the electrical property of SiC requires to be further enhanced to obtain qualified EM absorbing performance. In this work, multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced to SiC to enhance the electrical properties. Flexible two-dimensional (2D) CNTs loaded SiC fiber mats were prepared as EM absorbers via electrospinning and polymer-derived-ceramic (PDC) methods. The CNTs inside the fibers can form conductive networks and act as reinforcement to ensure high flexibility and enhance the microwave absorption properties of SiC mats. Thus, a reflection loss of -61 dB and an effective absorption band (EAB) of 2.9 GHz were obtained. More importantly, the EM absorption can be adjusted by tuning the content of CNTs and the EAB can cover the entire X-band by adjusting the material thickness. The work provided a facile strategy to fabricated flexible 2D ceramic mats with high environmental stability and tunable electrical properties, which may shed light on the production of reliable EM absorber for broadband EM absorption applications.

Automated summary

In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes were introduced into silicon carbide to enhance its electrical properties and prepare flexible 2D CNTs loaded SiC fiber mats as microwave absorbers, achieving high flexibility and improved microwave absorption properties. The electromagnetic absorption performance can be adjusted by tuning the CNT content and material thickness, with an effective absorption bandwidth covering the entire X-band.