Issue 9, 2023

Wide-temperature-range multispectral camouflage enabled by orientation-gradient co-optimized microwave blackbody metastructure coupled with conformal MXene coating

Abstract

Cloaking against electromagnetic detection is a well-researched topic; yet achieving multispectral camouflage over a wide temperature range remains challenging. Herein, an orientation-gradient co-optimized graded Gyroid-shellular (GGS) SiOC-based metastructure with a conformal MXene coating (M@SiOC) is proposed to achieve wide-temperature-range microwave/infrared/visible-light-compatible camouflage. Firstly, the combination of coordinate transformation and genetic algorithm endows the GGS architecture with optimal orientation and gradient, allowing superior microwave blackbody-like behavior. Secondly, a microwave-transparent, low-infrared-emissivity MXene metasurface is constructed in situ to permit wide-temperature-range infrared camouflage. Finally, the outstanding spectral selectivity of MXene enables camouflage against 1.06 μm-lidar and visible-light detection. As a result, the as-fabricated [110]-oriented GGS M@SiOC metamaterials exhibit outstanding wide-temperature-range multispectral camouflage: (i) ultrabroadband microwave absorption exceeding 80% in the X-Ku band from room temperature (RT) to 500 °C with absorption above 86.0% (91.4% on average) at 500 °C; (ii) excellent long-wavelength infrared camouflage for object temperatures from RT to 450 °C, reaching an infrared signal intensity of 78.5% for objects at 450 °C; and (iii) camouflage against both 1.06 μm-lidar and dark environment. Compared with traditional hierarchical metamaterials necessitating complex micro/nano-fabrication processes, this work provides a novel pathway toward the realization of structurally integrated multispectral stealth components by combining flexible metastructure design and high-fidelity additive manufacturing.

Graphical abstract: Wide-temperature-range multispectral camouflage enabled by orientation-gradient co-optimized microwave blackbody metastructure coupled with conformal MXene coating

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
23 4 2023
Accepted
08 6 2023
First published
09 6 2023

Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 3404-3415

Wide-temperature-range multispectral camouflage enabled by orientation-gradient co-optimized microwave blackbody metastructure coupled with conformal MXene coating

L. Yao, L. Pan, S. Zhou, H. Liu, H. Mei, Y. Li, K. G. Dassios, P. Colombo, L. Cheng and L. Zhang, Mater. Horiz., 2023, 10, 3404 DOI: 10.1039/D3MH00611E

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