Fine-tuning the electromagnetic parameters of 2D conjugated metal-organic framework semiconductors for anti-electromagnetic interference in the Ku band

To address the electromagnetic interference (EMI), carbon-based composites, including metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived ones, have been proposed as electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers. Inspired by the design principles of these materials, we provide pristine 2D conjugated MOFs (2D c-MOFs) as the alternative absorbers, without carbonization or hybridization. Beyond controlling the EM parameters of Cu3(HTTP)2 (2,3,6,7,10,11hexahydroxytriphenylene, HHTP), a 2D c-MOF, at the material level through regulating its mass ratio, we also fine-tune such parameters at the atom level by altering the metal center. Due to the improved dielectric loss, remarkably enhanced EM wave absorption is available among another three isostructural 2D c-MOFs M3(HTTP)2 (M = Zn, Ni, or Co). The strongest EM absorption of them can also be tuned from the C band to the X band and Ku band by adjusting the metal center. Co3(HHTP)2 has the best EM wave absorption, with a minimum reflection loss of -60.6 dB (99.9999% of absorption), and could against EMI in most of the Ku band (89%) which is wildly used in satellite communication, owing to the good impedance matching, and multiple loss mechanisms.

Automated summary

In this study, a new type of two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic framework material is proposed as an electromagnetic wave absorber, without the need for carbonization or hybridization. By adjusting the mass ratio and altering the metal center, the electromagnetic parameters of the material can be controlled, and the absorption performance is significantly enhanced due to improved dielectric loss.