Morphology-Engineered Cu-Doped CeO₂ with Synergistic Defects for Enhanced Dielectric Polarization and Multifunctional...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• High-performance electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers are crucial but challenging to develop.
• Cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles are versatile materials with applications in various fields.
• Morphology regulation and defect engineering are key strategies for enhancing material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the EM absorption mechanisms of Cu-doped CeO2 with distinct morphologies.
• To explore the role of morphology-dependent defect engineering in CeO2-based absorbers.
• To develop lightweight, high-efficiency EM attenuation materials.

Main Methods:

• Systematic synthesis of Cu-doped CeO2 (nanorods, nanoparticles, nanocubes) via hydrothermal method.
• Comprehensive characterization of material properties and EM absorption mechanisms.
• In-situ DRIFTS analysis to confirm polarization loss mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Cu-CeO2 nanorods (CuCe-NR) exhibited abundant oxygen vacancies and strong interfacial interactions.
• CuCe-NR achieved exceptional EM absorption: -40.98 dB reflection loss at 2.5 mm and 4.72 GHz bandwidth.
• Optimized impedance matching and defect-induced polarization significantly enhanced dielectric loss.

Conclusions:

• Morphology-dependent defect engineering is critical for designing advanced CeO2-based absorbers.
• CuCe-NR demonstrates a feasible strategy for lightweight, high-efficiency EM attenuation materials.
• The study provides insights into EM wave absorption mechanisms in engineered nanomaterials.