Microwave absorption properties of SiC@SiO2@Fe3O4 hybrids in the 2–18 GHz range

To enhance the microwave absorption performance of silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs), SiO2 nanoshells with a thickness of approximately 2 nm and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were grown on the surface of SiCNWs to form SiC@SiO2@Fe3O4 hybrids. The microwave absorption performance of the SiC@SiO2@Fe3O4 hybrids with different thicknesses was investigated in the frequency range from 2 to 18 GHz using a free-space antenna-based system. The results indicate that SiC@SiO2@Fe3O4 hybrids exhibit improved microwave absorption. In particular, in the case of an SiC@SiO2 to iron(III) acetylacetonate mass ratio of 1:3, the microwave absorption with an absorber of 2-mm thickness exhibited a minimum reflection loss of −39.58 dB at 12.24 GHz. With respect to the enhanced microwave absorption mechanism, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated on SiC@SiO2 nanowires are proposed to balance the permeability and permittivity of the materials, contributing to the microwave attenuation.