Synthesis and wave absorption characterization of SiC nanowires/expanded graphite composites

SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) confirmed to be β-SiC were successfully synthesized on expanded graphite (EG) by chemical vapor phase reaction method using Si/SiO2 mixtures as the silicon source. The dielectric properties and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance of SiC nanowires/expanded graphite composites (SiCNWs/EG) were investigated in the frequency range of 1–18 GHz. The results revealed that SiCNWs/EG could exhibit an optimal reflection loss (RL) value of −52.76 dB at 6.91 GHz with a thickness of 3.05 mm and a wide effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 3.74 GHz. Its excellent EMW absorption performance was mainly attributed to the introduction of SiCNWs which could effectively enhance the polarization of dipole together with interface, and improve the impedance matching.