Achieving strong low-frequency electromagnetic absorption in tellurium nanowires

Abstract

The novel magneto-electric effect, thermoelectric properties, and strong piezoelectricity exhibited by tellurium-based (Te) materials make them promising candidates for next-generation electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) materials. Therefore, this study utilized TeO₂ as the precursor to prepare Te nanowires via a hydrothermal reduction method. By regulating the content of activators, precise control over the microstructure and crystal structure can be achieved, thereby optimizing electromagnetic performance. The distinctive one-dimensional linear structure induces interface polarization and optimizes impedance. The polarization intensity is significantly enhanced by the pronounced distortion of the lattice and the presence of lattice defects, thereby promoting electromagnetic wave loss. The minimum reflection loss (RL_min) reaches −54.41 dB at a frequency of 5.16 GHz, with a thickness of 4.4 mm. Our research findings suggest that Te nanowires exhibit significant potential in the realm of electromagnetic absorption, thereby offering insights for further investigations on Te-based materials within the electromagnetic domain.