Facile synthesis of ZnFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide nanohybrids for enhanced microwave absorption properties

•ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with a small diameter are uniformly anchored on RGO surface.•A strong interfacial bonding was formed between ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and RGO.•The minimum RL of ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids is −29.3 dB at 16.7 GHz and 1.6 mm.•ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids show great promise as a microwave absorption material.

The nanohybrids composed of ZnFe2O4 and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal strategy. The morphology and structure of ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. RGO content was also determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirm the formation of nanohybrids with a content of 20.4 wt% RGO and extensive interfaces between small-diameter ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and RGO sheets. The magnetic properties and electromagnetic parameters of ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids were measured and the microwave absorption properties were investigated. ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids exhibit the advantages of thin matching thickness and strong absorption at high frequency bands. It is demonstrated that ZnFe2O4/RGO nanohybrids can be a powerful candidate in the field of microwave absorption.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide