Construction of CuS Nanoflakes Vertically Aligned on Magnetically Decorated Graphene and Their Enhanced Microwave Absorption Properties

Hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced microwave absorption properties have been designed by growing CuS nanoflakes on magnetically decorated graphene, and the effect of special nanostructures on microwave absorption properties has been investigated. The structure of the nanocomposites was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the morphology of CuS nanoflakes was also investigated. A possible formation process of the nanocomposites and the mechanism of microwave absorption were explained in detail. As an absorber, the nanocomposites with a filler loading of 20 wt % exhibited enhanced microwave absorption properties due to the special nanostructures, extra void space, and synergistic effect. The maximum reflection loss can reach -54.5 dB at 11.4 GHz, and the absorption bandwidths exceeding -10 dB are 4.5 GHz with a thickness of 2.5 mm, which can be adjusted by the thickness. The results indicate that the hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced microwave absorption properties and lightweight have a promising future in decreasing electromagnetic wave irradiation.