Core–shell hybrid nanowires with Co nanoparticles wrapped in N-doped porous carbon for lightweight microwave absorption

Abstract

Exploration of lightweight and thin electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials is still urgent because of the issues related to EM pollution. In this work, one-dimensional core–shell nanowires with Co nanoparticles embedded in N doped porous carbon (Co@NPC NWs) have been successfully fabricated for microwave absorption. The obtained Co@NPC composites with a pea-like structure have high loading of Co nanoparticles (68 wt%) encapsulated by the defective carbon shell. Thanks to these special characteristics, the Co@NPC NWs exhibit superb microwave absorption properties in comparison with the pristine nano-Co powder and NPC. The strong reflection loss (RL) of −48 dB could be achieved at a thickness of only 1.45 mm. In addition, the effective absorption bandwidth is up to 5.2 GHz. These superb absorption properties coupled with thin thickness endow the Co@NPC NWs with great potential for application in lightweight EM wave absorption.