Studying experimentally microwave absorbing properties of carbon nanotube with Ni-Co-La coating

In order to reinforce the microwave absorbing properties of carbon nanotube, the Ni-Co-La alloy was deposited on the surface of carbon nanotube via electroless plating. The morphologies of the coatings were observed through the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The elements and their content were analyzed through energy dispersion spectroscopy analysis (EDS). The magnetic properties were studied via the vibrating sample magnetometer. The absorption properties were measured using a vector network analyzer in the frequency range of 2~18 GHz. Lanthanum content is 4.16% (wt); the proper Lanthanum can reinforce the absorption properties. The sample exhibits the strongest absorbing peak of -14.3 dB at 5.5 GHz, and the effective bandwidth reaches 2 GHz under -5 dB.