Enhanced microwave absorption properties of polyaniline-modified porous Fe3O4@C nanosheets

The modification of flake-like porous Fe3O4@C core–shell nanorods having 25–50 nm pore diameter with polyaniline nanosheets is described. The microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4@C, polyaniline, and Fe3O4@C/polyaniline composite are analyzed according to their electromagnetic parameters. The analysis of the electromagnetic parameters indicates that dielectric loss, which, along with the impedance matching, is improved by the addition of polyaniline, is the main factor governing the microwave absorption. Compared with Fe3O4@C nanorods and polyaniline, the Fe3O4@C/polyaniline nanosheets display superior microwave absorption properties, with a maximum reflection loss of − 43.5 dB at 7.1 GHz, which renders it a promising candidate for the development of microwave absorption materials.