Construction of CoO/Co9S8/NC composites with low-frequency and broadband electromagnetic wave absorption

Low-frequency electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) materials were crucial for addressing electromagnetic pollution and radar stealth. However, achieving low-frequency and broadband absorption still faces challenges. In this work, a succession of CoO/Co9S8/N-doped carbon (NC) composites were fabricated via a partial sulfidation strategy of Co-Prussian blue analogue (Co-PBA). The as-prepared CoO/Co9S8/NC composites featured a porous architecture. The electromagnetic parameters were effectively modulated via varying the sulfidation time. When the sulfidation time was 9 h, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value was −50.40 dB at 2.93 mm and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth value was 5.76 GHz (12.24–18.00 GHz) at 1.80 mm. Notably, when the sulfidation time was 12 h, the composites exhibited enhanced EMWA capability in the low-frequency S-band (3.52 GHz) with an RLmin value of −28.91 dB. The superior EMWA performance of composites were primarily attributed to appropriate dielectric constants and optimized impedance matching due to magnetic loss. Moreover, the radar cross section simulation consequences further verified that dissipation capability of electromagnetic wave of the CoO/Co9S8/NC composites in the actual far field. This work afforded novel perspectives into the rational develop of PBA-derived carbon-based EMWA materials with the low-frequency and broadband absorption.