Flexible nanocomposites with enhanced microwave absorption properties based on Fe3O4/SiO2 nanorods and polyvinylidene fluoride

Abstract

Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ porous nanorods with one-dimensional core/shell structure and high aspect ratio have been synthesized as an absorber by a wet chemical method. Based on the nanorods, flexible Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposites have been first prepared by embedding the Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanorods in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite with a filler content of 40 wt% shows excellent microwave absorption performance over 2–18 GHz, and the minimum reflection loss (R_L) can reach −28.6 dB when the thickness is 2.5 mm. The mechanisms for the enhanced microwave absorption performance were clarified based on the unique structural features as well as the synergetic effect between multiple components.