Assembling 1D double-shell PPy@Air@MnO2 nanotubes with enhanced microwave absorption performance

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) core–shell heterostructures with uniquely abundant interfacial polarization are ideal candidates for high-performance electromagnetic (EM) materials. However, designing new 1D core–shell architectures for enhanced microwave absorption (MA) properties remains a significant challenge. Herein, a series of polypyrrole(PPy)@MnO₂ 1D tubular structures have been prepared using a facile solvothermal method enabling precise control over the specific morphologies of the 1D heterostructure and revealing tunable tailoring of the microstructure. Especially, a novel hollow double-shell PPy@Air@MnO₂ compound, featuring a PPy inner shell and a MnO₂ outer shell, was successfully synthesized. This unique double-shell configuration exhibits a higher absorption efficiency of heterogeneous interfaces than the single-wall PPy@MnO₂, significantly improving the attenuation ability to absorb EM waves. The local polarized electric field in numerous microdomains along the axial direction of the 1D tube was confirmed, further enhancing interface polarization loss capability. Therefore, the synthesized materials exhibit excellent microwave absorption (MA) performance, with a maximum reflection loss of −52.49 dB at a thickness of 2.94 mm and a broad absorption bandwidth of 3.84 GHz. These promising results have implications for expanding the application of the 1D heterostructures for EM devices.