Hierarchical graphene@Fe₃O₄ nanocluster@carbon@MnO₂ nanosheet array composites: synthesis and microwave absorption performance

Abstract

The fabrication of novel hierarchical graphene@Fe3O4 nanocluster@carbon@MnO2 nanosheet array composites has been successfully carried out for the first time. The fabrication process involves the deposition of Fe3O4 nanoclusters on graphene's surface using a simple in situ hydrothermal method, subsequent introduction of carbon on the surface of graphene@Fe3O4 nanoclusters by combining the hydrothermal reaction and thermal treatment process, and finally formation of the hierarchical composites via a simple in situ redox replacement reaction between potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and carbon on the surface of graphene@Fe3O4 nanoclusters. Moreover, the microwave absorption properties of both graphene@Fe3O4 nanoclusters and hierarchical graphene@Fe3O4 nanocluster@carbon@MnO2 nanosheet array composites were investigated between 2 and 18 GHz microwave frequency bands. The electromagnetic data demonstrate that graphene@Fe3O4 nanocluster@carbon@MnO2 nanosheet array hierarchical composites exhibit significantly enhanced microwave absorption properties compared with graphene@Fe3O4 nanoclusters, which probably originate from the unique hierarchical structure and larger surface area.