Microwave absorption properties of Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ composites fabricated by plasma spraying and vacuum sintering in the X-band

Developing high-temperature microwave absorption material with light weight is crucial. In this work, Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ composites were exploited as light microwave absorption material at high temperature by plasma spraying and vacuum sintering for microstructure, phase, dielectric property, and microwave absorption property study. Results showed that both the preparation method and Ti₃SiC₂ concentration had vital influences on the dielectric properties and microwave absorption properties of Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ composites. The denser Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ ceramics had higher complex permittivity than that of Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ coatings with lower density, which could obtain better microwave absorption property in thinner thickness with less Ti₃SiC₂ content. As the content of Ti₃SiC₂ increased, the complex permittivity of both Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ coatings and ceramics improved due to the increased interfacial polarization and conduction loss. The optimum microwave absorption property was obtained in Ti₃SiC₂/Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ ceramic with 10% Ti₃SiC₂ content, which had a bandwidth of 4.2 GHz and minimum reflection loss (RL_m) of − 14.4 dB in 1.7 mm.