Heterointerface-Engineered SiC@SiO₂@C Nanofibers for Simultaneous Microwave Absorption and Corrosion Resistance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Corrosion Engineering

Background:

• Next-generation microwave absorption (MA) materials require efficient attenuation and corrosion resistance (CR) for maritime applications.
• Silicon carbide (SiC) nanofibers are promising but limited by single-component properties.
• Heterointerface engineering and incorporating corrosion-resistant elements can enhance MA and CR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel SiC-based nanofibers with enhanced microwave absorption and corrosion resistance.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of multilayered structures and heterointerfaces on material properties.
• To create advanced coatings for maritime defense and transportation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of SiC nanofibers via chemical vapor deposition.
• Sequential introduction of SiO2 interlayers and nitrogen-doped carbon shells to form core-shell structures (SiC@SiO2@C - SSC).
• Fabrication and testing of SSC/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite coatings for MA and CR performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• SSC nanofibers exhibited excellent MA properties with a minimum reflection loss of -52.40 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 7.68 GHz.
• Maximum radar cross-section reduction reached 38.42 dB m².
• SSC/PVDF composite coatings demonstrated superior CR, with enhanced corrosion potential and reduced current density compared to control coatings.

Conclusions:

• Heterointerface engineering in multilayered SiC nanofibers effectively enhances microwave absorption and corrosion resistance.
• The developed SSC nanofibers and their composites show significant potential for demanding maritime applications.
• Synergistic effects between material interfaces are crucial for optimizing multifunctional performance in harsh environments.