Polymer-derived SiOC reinforced with core–shell nanophase structure of ZrB2/ZrO2 for excellent and stable high-temperature microwave absorption (up to 900 °C)

Abstract

Microwave absorbing materials for high-temperature harsh environments are highly desirable for aerodynamically heated parts and engine combustion induced hot spots of aircrafts. This study reports ceramic composites with excellent and stable high-temperature microwave absorption in air, which are made of polymer-derived SiOC reinforced with core–shell nanophase structure of ZrB2/ZrO2. The fabricated ceramic composites have a crystallized t-ZrO2 interface between ZrB2 and SiOC domains. The ceramic composites exhibit stable dielectric properties, which are relatively insensitive to temperature change from room temperature to 900 °C. The return loss exceeds − 10 dB, especially between 28 and 40 GHz, at the elevated temperatures. The stable high-temperature electromagnetic (EM) absorption properties are attributed to the stable dielectric and electrical properties induced by the core–shell nanophase structure of ZrB2/ZrO2. Crystallized t-ZrO2 serve as nanoscale dielectric interfaces between ZrB2 and SiOC, which are favorable for EM wave introduction for enhancing polarization loss and absorption. Existence of t-ZrO2 interface also changes the temperature-dependent DC conductivity of ZrB2/SiOC ceramic composites when compared to that of ZrB2 and SiOC alone. Experimental results from thermomechanical, jet flow, thermal shock, and water vapor tests demonstrate that the developed ceramic composites have high stability in harsh environments, and can be used as high-temperature wide-band microwave absorbing structural materials.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 06, 2023
Source ID
10.1038/s41598-023-27541-3

Entities

People

  • Alexander D. Snyder
  • Chengying Xu
  • Dajie Zhang
  • Jason F Patrick
  • Rajan Kumar
  • Shaofan Xu
  • Yang Ni
  • Yujun Jia

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • National Science Foundation

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials