Microwave absorption properties of FeCo-coated carbon fibers with varying morphologies

• Fe–Co alloy was coated on carbon fibers (FeCo@CFs) by electrodeposition.
• Varying coating morphology was obtained by adjusting the plating temperature.
• Fe–Co coating morphology had obvious effect on EM wave absorption properties.
• FeCo@CFs with plate-like Fe–Co coating showed the best absorption performance.

Hybridizing carbon materials with magnetic metals and oxides has attracted much attention for enhanced microwave absorption. In this study, a magnetic Fe–Co alloy was coated on the surface of carbon fibers (FeCo@CFs) by electrodeposition. For the first time, different Fe–Co coating morphologies (thin plate, irregular particle, and pyramid) were obtained by adjusting the plating temperature. The morphology, structure, magnetic properties, and complex permittivity and permeability of the FeCo@CFs were determined as a function of plating temperature. Results show that the FeCo@CFs with different coating morphologies exhibit different magnetic properties and complex permittivity. The FeCo@CFs with plate-like morphology demonstrate the best absorption performance. It has been shown that the absorption of FeCo@CFs can be controlled by adjusting the morphology of Fe–Co coating, which provides a new and effective way to endow Fe–Co-coated carbon fibers with good microwave absorption properties.

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