Construction of ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets/3D carbon heterostructure with Schottky contact for enhancing electromagnetic wave absorption performance

To alleviate the electromagnetic (EM) contamination, high-performance EM absorbers are urgently required. Constructing heterostructures with diverse energy level structures and high interfacial coupling effects has been considered as an ideal strategy to induce outstanding EM absorbing ability. In this work, the in-situ synthesis of interlaced ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) nanosheets on the 3D foam-like carbon skeleton (FCS) using convenient carbonization and solvothermal approach is used to create a novel heterostructure with Schottky contact, which is then used as EM absorbers. By developing highly utilized heterointerfaces and different energy level structures, the FCS@ZIS heterostructure demonstrates a balanced synergy of multiple-attenuation mechanisms and impedance matching. With appropriate ZIS adjustment, the absorption bandwidth improves from 3.8 GHz to 4.3 GHz, and the lowest reflection coefficient is optimized from −15.6 dB to −52.7 dB, revealing the EM absorbing potential of FCS@ZIS. Furthermore, the unique nano-micro structure of FCS@ZIS can boost the matrix's hydrophobic ability, which is quite significant in practical applications. The importance of the FCS@ZIS Schottky heterostructure in improving the EM absorbing property is revealed in this study, which also proposes a potential technique for developing outstanding EM absorbers.