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Lightweight, and broad and strong absorption are still a huge challenge for electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers. Here, we propose a facile oxidative polymerization-carbonization strategy to synthesize O, S, N codoped carbon planar helixes for superior EM wave absorbers. The spiral cetyltrimethylammounium bromide crystallites act as a template for the in-situ oxidative polymerization of pyrroles into ordered PPy spiral nanowires. Sintering temperature (Ts) was used to adjust the defects, heteroatoms, graphitization degree, and properties of the carbonized products. With Ts varying from 400 °C to 800 °C, internal stress and heteroatom (N, O, S) content decreased, causing the decreased defect/dipole polarization and increased graphitization degree and conductivity loss. As a result, one broad high-frequency absorption band was exhibited by carbon planar helixes produced at 400 °C− 500 °C, two broad absorption bands were exhibited by those formed at 600 °C, and three absorption bands were exhibited by those formed at 700 °C − 800 °C. The carbon planar helix formed at 700 °C exhibited broader bandwidth (4.96 GHz), thinner sample thickness (1.4 mm), and stronger absorption (−35.44 dB) than those of other absorbers. The superior properties are attributed to a combination of dipole/defect polarization, interface polarization, conductivity loss, multiple scattering, and multiple LC-resonances generated from the unique planar helical structure, defects, heteroatoms, and local electric network.

The size and dispersity of magnetic metal absorbents need to be controlled for the inhibition of the eddy current and the enhancement of electromagnetic wave absorption performance (EMWAP). Herein, layered C/Ni nanoparticle (NP) composites were developed as an excellent electromagnetic wave absorbent via the size and dispersity control. The synthesis of layered C/Ni NP composites was achieved via a simple one-step calcination process. The amount of nickel acetate (n) and calcination temperature (Tc) were changed to not only control the diameter, content, and dispersity of Ni nanoparticles, but also adjust the electric/magnetic properties and EMWAP of layered C/Ni NP composites. The superior EMWAP was obtained at n = 3.99 mmol and Tc = 600 °C with high assimilation (−39.46 dB), thin thickness (2.3 mm), and broad bandwidth (9.68 GHz) in a low loading rate (25 wt%). Our results suggest that excellent EMWAPs relies on the cooperation of multiple polarization loss, multiple resonances, eddy current loss, electric/magnetic coupling, and good impedance matching. The synthetic method adopted in this work has advantages of simple operation, low cost, and high yield, which is recommended to other 2D materials.

High-performance absorbers are in urgent demand for dealing with the increasing electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution caused by the rapid development of information technology. Herein, we developed a simple SDS/HCl-assisted oxidative polymerization method for the controllable synthesis of nanorod-coated PANI hierarchical microtubes as an efficient EMW absorber. The morphological evolution can be expediently achieved from hierarchical microtubes and solid nanofibers to nanorods by adjusting the HCl concentration. The formation of PANI hierarchical microtubes is caused by the cooperation of SDS and the minimum surface energy. What is more, morphology-dependent conductivity and EMW absorption properties were systematically investigated. Owing to the hierarchical 1D hollow structure and carrier concentration, the ultimate conductivity reached 0.08 S/cm at [HCl] = 7.5 mM. The corresponding HCl-doped PANI hierarchical microtubes exhibited superior EMW absorption properties (EMWAPs) with a large absorption of −43.6 dB and a wide absorption band of 5.84 GHz in relation to a 1.55 mm thick sample. The excellent EMWAPs are the consequence of the high conductivity and distinctive 1D, hierarchical, and hollow structure, which generate enhanced permittivity, multiple resonances, strong attenuation capability, multiple scattering, and EM radiation. Owing to their tunable morphology, tunable conductivity, and excellent EMWAPs, the PANI hierarchical microtubes offer great promise for fields such as sensors, electronics, optics, catalysis, energy storage, and EMW absorption and shielding.