Electromagnetic microwave absorption property of MoC synthesized via a facile solid-state reaction method

Carbides are typical electromagnetic microwave (EM) absorbing materials, due to their excellent dielectric properties. Large-scale synthesis of carbides through simple and low-cost methods is a necessary demand for EM pollution treatment. In this work, molybdenum carbide (MoC) was synthesized by a facile solid-state reaction method using carbon nanotubes and carbon black as carbon sources. The as-prepared MoC powders possessed irregular shape and rough surface. The EM absorption property as well as the EM parameters in the range of 2-18 GHz were investigated. It is found that the MoC powders, either carbon nanotubes or carbon black as carbon sources, showed satisfactory EM absorption performance. The powders using carbon nanotubes and carbon black as carbon source displayed the minimum reflection loss of -42.2 dB with a 1.5 mm thickness and -34.3 dB with a 3.0 mm thickness, respectively. The experimental results show that MoC is a promising EM microwave absorbing candidate, and the low-cost synthesis of MoC will be helpful for its large-scale development in EM protection field.

Automated summary

Carbides, such as molybdenum carbide (MoC), are promising electromagnetic microwave absorbing materials, synthesized through simple solid-state reaction methods using carbon nanotubes and carbon black as carbon sources. The MoC powders displayed satisfactory EM absorption performance in the range of 2-18 GHz, making them potential candidates for EM pollution treatment. The low-cost synthesis of MoC will be helpful for its large-scale development in the EM protection field.