Synergy of micron graphite and fly ash for alkali-activated cementitious material: Electromagnetic absorption characteristics and mechanism

To attain a balance between compressive strength and electromagnetic wave absorption performance, this paper combined two electromagnetic wave loss mechanisms (magnetic loss and electrical loss), and prepared an environmentally friendly alkali-activated slag/fly cementitious material (ASFC) using micron graphite (MG) as the absorber and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) as the precursors. The conductivity, electromagnetic wave absorption characteristics and compressive strength of ASFC with different ratios of GGBS and FA, MG size (800 mesh, 320 mesh, and 100 mesh), and content were investigated. The results indicated that when the ratio of GGBS and FA was 7:3, natural resonance and eddy current loss contributed to electromagnetic waves absorption at 8.2–11.0 GHz and 11.0–15.5 GHz range respectively. Additionally, the conductivity of MG/ASFC showed typical percolation characteristics, with the percolation threshold reached at a dosage of 3 wt%. In the 8.2–18.0 GHz, the incorporation of MG significantly augmented the conductive loss and polarization loss of ASFC. Furthermore, smaller-size MG was more beneficial for facilitating conductive loss of MG/ASFC among three different sizes. By adding 2 wt% of MG with 800 mesh, MG/ASFC can achieve a minimum reflection loss of −27.8 dB with a bandwidth of 3.0 GHz (Reflection loss ˂-7 dB). However, when compared to other cement-based absorbing materials reported, the MG/ASFC prepared in this experiment demonstrated better compressive strength and wave absorption properties. This finding contributing to a better understanding of green building materials with electromagnetic radiation protection capabilities.