Preparation of microwave absorbing Co-C nanofibers with robust superhydrophobic properties by electrospinning

High-performance microwave absorbers with excellent absorption ability and superhydrophobic property are extremely significant for the application of stealthy techniques, especially in high-humidity environment. In this research, high-performance Co-C nanofibers (NFs) were prepared via electrospinning mathod by using of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Cobalt acetate tetrahydrate (CoAc) solution as precursor with subsequent PVA pyrolyzation and carbonization process. The electromagnetic (EM) parameters and microwave absorption performance of the prepared NFs were investigated with the microwave frequency ranging from 2.0 GHz to 18.0 GHz. Analysis and comparison were performed on the impedance matching and loss mechanisms of each sample. The experimental results indicated that the sample calcinated at 950 °C achieved an optimal reflection loss (RL) of − 33.1 dB and an effective frequency bandwidth of 4.1 GHz under a thickness of 1.5 mm; and that the Co-C NFs membrane with the optimal absorption performance exhibited superhydrophobic property with a contact angle (CA) of 152°, suggesting their promising application to water-resistant stealthy materials.