Multiphase Molybdenum Carbide Doped Carbon Hollow Sphere Engineering: The Superiority of Unique Double-Shell Structure in Microwave Absorption

In order to achieve excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties, the microstructure design and component control of the absorber are critical. In this study, three different structures made of Mo2C/C hollow spheres are prepared and their microwave absorption behavior is investigated. The Mo2C/C double-shell hollow spheres consisting of an outer thin shell and an inner rough thick shell with multiple EMW loss mechanisms exhibit good microwave absorption properties. In order to further improve the microwave absorption properties, MoC1-x/C double-shell hollow spheres with different crystalline phases of molybdenum carbide are prepared to further optimize the EMW loss capability of the materials. Finally, MoC1-x/C double-shell hollow spheres with alpha-phase molybdenum carbide have the best microwave absorption properties. When the filling is 20 wt.%, the minimum reflection loss at 1.8 mm is -50.55 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth at 2 mm is 5.36 GHz, which is expected to be a microwave absorber with the characteristics of "thin, light, wide, and strong".