Synthesis of Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites for tunable electromagnetic absorption

•First, a series of Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites with different content of SiO2 were prepared via a facile one-step wet chemical process.•Second, the morphology and size of Ni as well as the magnetic and electromagnetic properties of the hybrid materials are all highly dependent on the SiO2 content.•Third, the electromagnetic wave absorption of the Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites with optimal composition is satisfactory, showing promising potential as electromagnetic absorbents especially at a high frequency (12–16 GHz).

Composition tunable Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via a facile one-step wet chemical process. The morphology and size of Ni as well as the magnetic and electromagnetic properties of the hybrid materials are all highly dependent on the SiO2 content. The electromagnetic wave absorption of the Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites with optimal composition is satisfactory. The enhanced microwave absorption might attribute to the enhanced interfacial polarization between Ni and SiO2 nanoparticles and the appropriate match of the hybrid nanocomposite.