Ni@C composites derived from Ni-based metal organic frameworks with a lightweight, ultrathin, broadband and highly efficient microwave absorbing properties

The Ni@C composites were successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition of a Ni-based metal organic framework (Ni-MOF). By varying the pyrolysis temperature, Ni@C composites with different morphology and microstructure can be easily synthesized. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between the Ni core and carbon shell, the composite possess good impedance matching and excellent microwave absorption performance. Interestingly, the strongest absorption of the Ni@C composite reaches −55.7 dB corresponding to 6.0 GHz absorption bandwidth (<−10 dB) at a thickness of 1.85 mm. The results demonstrate that Ni@C composites may be promising microwave absorption materials because of their strong absorption, being lightweight, thin thickness and large absorption bandwidth.