Rich defects and hetero-interface trigger strong polarization relaxation in Carbon Fiber/C/Zn@Co-ZIF Derivatives with brilliant electromagnetic wave absorption

Abstract

Developing advanced electromagnetic-wave absorbing materials that are thin, lightweight, broadband, and highly absorptive is essential for tackling electromagnetic-wave attenuation challenges in complex environments. Carbon fiber is considered an ideal matrix material due to its low density, high strength, and excellent mechanical properties. However, the terrible impedance match owing to high permittivity of carbon fiber hinders the application in the field of absorbent. Herein, a strategy of compositing MOF derivatives with carbon fibers were proposed and a new kind of complex was obtained. Due to the introduction of Co element, the composite complex material obtained through in-situ growth achieved a brilliant impedance matching performance thus realized a minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of -67.14 dB at 14.16 GHz and a matching thickness of 1.6 mm, along with an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.4 GHz. Besides, the introduction of a colloid carbon layer enhanced the interface polarization effect, enabling efficient electromagnetic wave absorption at a relatively thin coating thickness. This work offers a promising approach for designing and fabricating next-generation ultra-thin, high-performance stealth coating materials.