MOF-derived graphitized porous carbon/Fe–Fe3C nanocomposites with broadband and enhanced microwave absorption performance

Design of dual-loss electromagnetic (EM) materials composed of carbon-based materials and magnetic particles have been a rational strategy for application in the EM wave absorption field. Herein, Fe–Fe3C/nanoporous carbon (NPC) nanocomposite has been successfully prepared through a facile thermal decomposition route of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The nanocomposite exhibits excellent microwave absorption property, which is mainly interpreted by the polarization and multiple reflection causing by porous microstructure, suitable impedance matching, additional magnetic loss and synergistic effect between graphitized NPC and magnetic Fe–Fe3C particles. The optimal reflection loss (RL) can reach up to − 48 dB at 8.1 GHz with a layer thickness of 3.0 mm. Besides, the nanocomposites provide the effective bandwidth (RL < − 10 dB) of 3.9 GHz from 8.4 to 12.3 GHz, nearly covering the whole X band when the thickness is 2.5 mm.