Enhanced microwave absorption properties of epoxy composites reinforced with Fe50Ni50-functionalized graphene

• SMF–RGO epoxy composite was fabricated by a wet chemical method.
• Microwave absorption properties have been enhanced with Fe50Ni50 nanoparticles.
• The RL less than −10 dB can reach up to 4.3 GHz with layer thickness of 3.0 mm.
• Enhanced performances are related to impedance matching and microwave attenuation.

Surface modified Fe50Ni50 nanoparticles (SMF)-Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) epoxy composites with enhanced microwave absorption properties were successfully prepared using a wet chemical method. The morphology, structure and microwave electromagnetic properties of the as-prepared composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and VSM. The SMF-RGO epoxy composites exhibit enhanced microwave absorption properties, which are attributed to the better impedance matching and enhanced microwave attenuation. For the SMF-RGO (3) composite, the minimum RL reaches −23.9 dB at 10.8 GHz with layer thickness of 3.0 mm, and the bandwidth of RL less than −10 dB can reach up to 4.3 GHz (from 8.8 to 13.1 GHz). It is believed that such composites are attractive candidates for new types of lightweight high performance microwave absorber.