Enhanced microwave absorbing properties of carbonyl iron-doped Ag/ordered mesoporous carbon nanocomposites

Microwave absorbing materials carbonyl iron (CI)-doped Ag/ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) paraffin wax composites were prepared by colloidal deposition and impregnation methods, and their electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties were investigated in the frequency ranging from 2 to 18 GHz. The microstructures and chemical compositions of the Ag/OMC and Ag/OMC-CI paraffin wax composites were characterized by TEM, XRD, XPS, SEM and EDS, respectively. The complex permittivity of the paraffin wax composites show dual resonance behavior, resulting from the multi-interfaces among Ag nanoparticles, OMC nanorods, CI and paraffin wax. The magnetic loss was mainly caused by natural resonance and eddy current loss, respectively. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value of Ag/OMC-CI was below −10 dB at 12 GHz, which were superior to those of OMC-CI and Ag/OMC. This phenomenon is attributed to the enhancement of dielectric polarization and magnetic loss.

► Ag/OMC-CI paraffin wax composites were successfully prepared.
► Reflection loss value below −10 dB at 12 GHz was obtained.
► Ag/OMC-CI showed excellent microwave absorption with respect to OMC-CI and Ag/OMC.
► This could be attributed to the enhancement of interfacial polarization.