V2(Al1−xGax)C microrods synthesized through molten-salt show efficient microwave absorption capability

In this study, a series of V2(Al1−xGax)C microrods are synthesized for the first time in a molten salt system using short carbon fibers as carbon source and sacrificial template. The phase components, structural characteristics, and microwave absorption performance of as-prepared V2(Al1−xGax)C microrods are systematically investigated. The calculated lattice distortion degree results confirm that the phase structure, grain boundary density, and internal stress of V2(Al1−xGax)C microrods can be effectively modulated by controlling the doping amount of gallium element. The synergistic effects of dielectric loss, magnetic loss, multiple reflection and scattering afford the V2(Al1−xGax)C microrods with enhanced microwave absorption intensity and bandwidth. Specifically, V2(Al0.5Ga0.5)C microrod displays a minimum RL value of − 55.62 dB at 12.00 GHz, and the broadest EAB could reach 4.16 GHz with a thickness of 1.75 mm. Compared with the M sites doped MAX phases, A sites doped V2(Al1−xGax)C exhibit more excellent electromagnetic energy attenuation capacities.