Bionic Scarfskin-Inspired Hierarchy Configuration toward Tunable Microwave-Absorbing Performance

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2022 Apr 13;14(14):16669-16677. doi: 10.1021/acsami.2c01401. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Abstract

Maintaining the dynamical microwave synchronization between a target and its background is the key to electromagnetical invisibility in real environment. Herein, we introduce an archetypical paradigm for ultraelastic films of graphene-functionalized ionic gel with tunable microwave-absorbing behaviors. Inspired by the local structural changes during the wing-spreading process of vespertilionids, the experimental and finite element simulations have revealed that proper shape changing of 3D wrinkled structure containing ridge walls with moderate impedance is the effective way to minimize reflected wave and promote energy attenuation. An optimal RL value of -43.6 dB and valid regulatory amplitude of 41.5 dB, covering a microwave-absorbing to shielding state, could be reached with only 0.2% weight fraction of the active ingredient RGO filler. The significant regulatory performance is attributed to the competitive effect between intrinsic dielectric attenuation of silicon nitride modified reduced graphene oxide (RGO-SiN), multiscattering of a 3D wrinkled structure, and evolution of the oriented RGO-SiN.

Keywords: bionic; electromagnetic shielding; gels; nanocomposite; wrinklelike structures.