Study on ultralight and flexible Fe3O4/melamine derived carbon foam composites for high-efficiency microwave absorption

Abstract Ferroferric oxide/melamine-derived carbon foam (marked as Fe3O4/MDCF) was synthesized by carbonization and in-situ growth strategy. The results indicate that the magnetic particle load and absorbing capacity can be effectively adjusted. The minimum values of reflection loss (RL) of the Fe3O4/MDCF is −26.45 dB (7.76 GHz) and the effective frequency width of absorption is 4.28 GHz, whose density can reach as low as 13.1 mg/cm3. The continuous 3D (three dimensional) conductive network and the expanded interface in the carbon/magnetic heterostructure improve the interfacial polarization relaxation, and enhance electromagnetic loss and wave-absorbing capability. This suggests that it can be considered as a powerful candidate for high-efficiency microwave absorption materials.