Synthesis of a one-dimensional carbon nanotube-decorated three-dimensional crucifix carbon architecture embedded with Co7Fe3/Co5.47N nanoparticles for high-performance microwave absorption

Low-dimensional cell-decorated three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structures are considered excellent candi-dates for achieving remarkable microwave absorption. In the present work, a one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotube (CNT)-decorated 3D crucifix carbon framework embedded with Co7Fe3/Co5.47N nanoparticles (NPs) was fabricated by the in-situ pyrolysis of a trimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF) precursor (ZIF-ZnFeCo). Co7Fe3/Co5.47N NPs were uniformly dispersed on the carbon matrix. The 1D CNT nanostructure was well regulated on the 3D crucifix surface by changing the pyrolysis temperature. The synergistic effect of 1D CNT and the 3D crucifix carbon framework increased the conductive loss, and Co7Fe3/Co5.47N NPs induced interfacial polarization and magnetic loss; thus, the composite manifested superior microwave absorption performance. The optimum absorption intensity was-54.0 dB, and the effective absorption frequency bandwidth reached 5.4 GHz at a thickness of 1.65 mm. The findings of this work could provide significant guidance for the fabrication of MOF-derived hybrids for high-performance microwave absorption applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a 1D carbon nanotube-decorated 3D carbon framework embedded with Co7Fe3/Co5.47N nanoparticles was successfully fabricated. The 1D carbon nanotubes were well regulated on the 3D carbon framework, and the Co7Fe3/Co5.47N nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the carbon matrix. The synergistic effect of 1D carbon nanotubes and the 3D carbon framework, as well as the interfacial polarization and magnetic loss induced by Co7Fe3/Co5.47N nanoparticles, contributed to the superior microwave absorption performance of the composite material.