Reduced graphene oxide-supported boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanotubes with embedded cobalt nanoparticles for absorption of electromagnetic wave

Abstract We develop a facile method to fabricate Co nanoparticles-embedded N, B co-doped carbon nanotubes on reduced graphene oxide sheets (Co@BNCNT/rGO). The prepared Co@BNCNT/rGO has high electrical conductivity, a large number of defects, and a three-dimensional structure with multiple interfaces. The experimental results show that the introduction of rGO can adjust the dielectric loss and impedance matching characteristics of the Co@BNCNT/rGO. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the electrons transfer from metallic Co to N,B-doped CNT, leading to interfacial polarization relaxation that favors the improvement of the electromagnetic wave absorption property of the Co@BNCNT/rGO. As a result, the Co@BNCNT/rGO exhibits excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties with a minimum reflection loss exceeding –20 dB even if the matching thickness is lower than 2.0 mm. Moreover, the filler mass load of the Co@BNCNT/rGO is merely 20 wt%. Our results highlight a new method for synthesizing high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbers.