Rational construction of Co NPs embedded N-doped carbon layer/ZrSBA-15 composites with hierarchical succulent-like nanostructures for enhanced microwave absorption

The configurations and compositions of an absorber play crucial role on the microwave absorption performance. Accordingly, the attenuation mechanism on the nanostructure with skillfully integrated components (e.g. dielectric loss and magnetic loss substances) is a highlight for constructing excellent absorbers. Herein, utilizing hierarchical succulent-like ZrSBA-15 as a template, the N-doped carbon layer containing Co nanoparticles embedded within ZrSBA-15 (Co-NCL@ZrSBA-15) composites were rationally constructed to acquire enhanced microwave absorption performance for the first time. The resultant Co-NCL@ZrSBA-15 composites exhibited high-performance microwave absorption capacity with low loading content of 25 wt % in a wax matrix. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value of −61 dB was achieved with the thickness of 2.0 mm at 16.8 GHz, and an effective frequency bandwidth (RL  <  −10 dB) was 4.4 GHz (13.6–18.0 GHz). Additionally, the minimum RL value are all less than −30 dB with thickness changing from 2.0 to 5.5 mm in the whole C, X and Ku absorbing band. Such excellent absorbing properties at lower filler loading and thin thickness endow the novel Co-NCL@ZrSBA-15 composites with gigantic potential for application in restrain electromagnetic wave pollution and interference.