Preparation of bunched CeO2 and study on microwave absorbing properties with MWCNTs binary composite

A novel bunched cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) was prepared and its binary composite material with multi-walled carbon nanotubes presented an excellent microwave absorbing properties. The morphology, structure, and absorbing properties of the composite material were investigated. It was found that the minimum reflection loss (RL) of the composite material at 15.79 GHz was −45.7 dB when the thickness was 5.5 mm. It was worth noting that when the composite material was in the thickness range of 5.0–7.5 mm and the frequency was 11.36–17.77 GHz, the electromagnetic wave RL was < −30 dB, which illustrated that the composite material had a good absorbing effect over a wide thickness range. The results of the study contributed to the design and preparation of efficient microwave absorbing materials (MAM) with rare earth oxide composites and their applications, which demonstrated the importance of new composites with special structures in the field of MAM. • A new type of bunched CeO 2 was prepared by facile hydrothermal method. • MWCNTs were scattered on surface of bunched CeO 2 in CeO 2 /MWCNTs composite. • Optimal reflection loss reached −45.72 dB. • Reflection loss was less than −30 dB in the thickness range of 5.0–7.5 mm at 11.36–17.77 GHz.