Digital light processing 3D printing of lightweight Fe3O4/rGO/resin composites with enhanced microwave absorption

A Fe3O4/rGO reinforced photocurable resin composite with gyroid structure was firstly fabricated by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The obtained gyroid template was further coated with absorbants and experienced a post-curing treatment for microwave absorption (MA) applications. The minimum reflection loss of the Fe3O4/rGO/resin gyroid composite coated with Fe3O4/rGO nanoparticles reached − 38 dB at 10.8 GHz and a thickness of 2.5 mm, while effective absorption band was 77% in the X-band, exhibiting the best MA performance. The leverage of DLP 3D printing allows for an optimal structure for absorbants coating and increases the opportunity for electromagnetic wave reflection/refraction/transmission. The synergistic effects of hybrid Fe3O4/rGO/resin template coated with Fe3O4/rGO and gyroid structure effectively promote the MA performance and realize the manufacturing of lightweighting composites for future electromagnetic protection applications.