Efficient and Lightweight Electromagnetic Wave Absorber Derived from Metal Organic Framework-Encapsulated Cobalt Nanoparticles

Porous-carbon-based nanocomposites are gaining tremendous interest because of good compatibility, lightweight, and strong electromagnetic wave absorption. However, it is still a great challenge to design and synthesize porous-carbon-based composites with strong absorption capability and broad frequency bandwidth. Herein, a facile and effective method was developed to synthesize Co magnetic nanoparticles/metal organic framework (MOF) (Co NPs/ZIF-67) nanocomposites. Co NPs/porous C composites were subsequently obtained by annealing Co NPs/ZIF-67 nanocomposites at different temperatures under an inert atmosphere. The carbonized nanocomposites showed highly efficient electromagnetic wave absorption capability. Specifically, the optimal composite (i.e., Co/C-700) possessed a maximum reflection loss (RL) value of -30.31 dB at 11.03 GHz with an effective absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ -10 dB) of 4.93 GHz. The electromagnetic parameters and the absorption performance of the composites are readily tunable by adjusting the carbonization temperature and the concentration of Co NPs in the composites. Because of the combination of good impedance matching, dual-loss mechanism, and the synergistic effect between Co NPs and porous carbon composites, these Co NPs/MOF-derived composites are attractive candidates for electromagnetic wave absorbers.