Multi-scale heterogeneous composite elastomer absorbers synergistically enhanced by CoNi nanospheres and carbon...

The advancement of high-performance absorbers is essential for applications in electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) and stealth technologies. To enhance EWA performances, it is imperative to employ advanced design strategies that incorporate heterogeneous interfaces and multi-scale structures. In this study, we developed a composite elastomer demonstrating exceptional EWA characteristics using a two-step process involving liquid-phase reduction followed by thermal curing. High aspect ratio carbon nanotubes were integrated onto the surface of CoNi nanospheres, creating a multi-scale architecture with heterogeneous interfaces that ranged from zero-dimensional to two-dimensional. This innovative structural design significantly improved the EWA capabilities of the composite elastomer. Notably, even with only 15 wt% filler content, the composite elastomer achieved a minimum reflection loss of -54.4 dB at a thickness of 4 mm, alongside an adjustable effective absorption bandwidth exceeding 60 % of the 2-18 GHz frequency range. Additionally, it exhibited favorable mechanical strength and stretchability, enhancing its practical applicability. This work provides valuable insights into optimizing dielectric and magnetic properties through advanced structural design and underscores the potential for developing effective elastomer absorbers to deal with electromagnetic pollution in complex environment.