Graphical Abstract
![](https://wqketang.oss-cn-beijing.aliyuncs.com/zip-unzip/zip-cd15b28e-f650-4428-981a-26fcbd84ffe3/JAC0890/files/JAC0890-TOC.jpg?Expires=1725662735&OSSAccessKeyId=STS.NUTLZsU4ArhwzyRnMLt6vHnDk&Signature=pMYu%2BaG0nOeRjvfpaaJ9oxWmMK0%3D&security-token=CAISywJ1q6Ft5B2yfSjIr5bhB%2BDHuOtgxaqceF%2Fjik0ZeLlap6vviTz2IHtKenhsBOsbtfk1mG5W5%2FgZlqJ9SptIAEfJa9d99MyzVY8Wl9CT1fau5Jko1beHewHKeTOZsebWZ%2BLmNqC%2FHt6md1HDkAJq3LL%2Bbk%2FMdle5MJqP%2B%2FUFB5ZtKWveVzddA8pMLQZPsdITMWCrVcygKRn3mGHdfiEK00he8TouufTinpHMskGA1Aell7Mvyt6vcsT%2BXa5FJ4xiVtq55utye5fa3TRYgxowr%2Fwo0v0YpGya5YzHXwcPskvdKZbo78UqLQlla6w%2BGqFJqvPxr%2Fp8t%2Fx5fWJKAezhVgs8cVM8JOjIqKOscIsitkdh4CqPcD1LXoQ6vH1ZZ5%2FAzVZaVWUEMpNqcRxTMldXaQqhSZT8m3upKXzOJeX7ls9%2Fv%2FV7p4AGbiDUTzDnGoABAAvoCo0HlmB1G95r4TbdQZnq36hiysFqpIupsI%2BOCNrZNuGVBUDTw230V7667AapVw1vBheSbkEv7c%2F9CsSlQQrcdyMIJorQUry81oBErTu0Gcwvdi3f4SHixmTIhHKwaQy6X5g%2FPHBEU6WRVJDku2v8LpqejLJIfx%2FWeBM5XqggAA%3D%3D)
Discover the SciOpen Platform and Achieve Your Research Goals with Ease.
In the context of the fifth-generation (5G) smart era, the demand for electromagnetic wave (EMW)-absorbing materials has become increasingly prominent, so it is necessary to explore promising candidate materials. This work focuses on the exploration of the material absorbing properties of a MoAlB MAB (MAB represents a promising group of alternatives, where M stands for a transition metal, A typically denotes Al, and B is boron) phase system. First, the first-principles calculations were performed to reveal the unique crystal and layered structure of the MoAlB ceramics and to predict their potential for use as an EMW absorption material. Subsequently, a series of MoAlB ceramics were synthesized at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1300 °C, and the influence of temperature on the phase compositions and microstructures of the obtained MoAlB ceramics was characterized and analyzed. Finally, the practical EMW absorption performance of the prepared MoAlB ceramics was evaluated via a combination of experiments and radar cross-sectional calculations. The MoAlB sample synthesized at 900 °C exhibits superior EMW absorption performance, achieving an impressive minimum reflection loss (RL) of −50.33 dB. The unique layered structure and good electrical conductivity of the MoAlB samples are the main reasons for their enhanced wave absorption performance, which provides interfacial polarization and multiple dielectric loss mechanisms. Therefore, this study not only contributes to the understanding of the preparation of MoAlB materials but also provides potential guidance for their utilization in the realm of electromagnetic wave absorption.
Rappaport TS, Sun S, Mayzus R, et al. Millimeter wave mobile communications for 5G cellular: It will work! IEEE Access 2013, 1: 335–349.
Pi ZY, Khan F. An introduction to millimeter-wave mobile broadband systems. IEEE Commun Mag 2011, 49: 101–107.
Hill MD, Cruickshank DB, MacFarlane IA. Perspective on ceramic materials for 5G wireless communication systems. Appl Phys Lett 2021, 118: 120501.
Chiaraviglio L, Elzanaty A, Alouini MS. Health risks associated with 5G exposure: A view from the communications engineering perspective. IEEE Open J Commun Soc 2021, 2: 2131–2179.
De Vocht F, Albers P. The population health effects from 5G: Controlling the narrative. Front Public Health 2022, 10: 1082031.
Dai B, Ma Y, Dong F, et al. Overview of MXene and conducting polymer matrix composites for electromagnetic wave absorption. Adv Compos Hybrid Mater 2022, 5: 704–754.
Pang HF, Duan YP, Huang LX, et al. Research advances in composition, structure and mechanisms of microwave absorbing materials. Compos Part B—Eng 2021, 224: 42.
Yu ZJ, Chen T, Du HZ, et al. Single-source-precursor derived SiOC ceramics with in-situ formed CNTs and core–shell structured CoSi@C nanoparticles towards excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 1119–1135.
Guo KY, Chen L, Yang GJ. Boosting electromagnetic wave absorption of Ti3AlC2 by improving effective electrical conductivity. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 1533–1546.
Jiang XW, Niu HH, Li JL, et al. Construction of core-shell structured SiO2@MoS2 nanospheres for broadband electromagnetic wave absorption. Appl Surf Sci 2023, 628: 157355.
Peymanfar R, Dogari H, Selseleh-Zakerin E, et al. Recent advances in microwave-absorbing materials fabricated using organic conductive polymers. Front Mater 2023, 10: 1–27.
Song LM, Zhang F, Chen YQ, et al. Multifunctional SiC@SiO2 nanofiber aerogel with ultrabroadband electromagnetic wave absorption. Nano-Micro Lett 2022, 14: 152.
Hu FY, Wang XH, Bao ST, et al. Tailoring electromagnetic responses of delaminated Mo2TiC2T x MXene through the decoration of Ni particles of different morphologies. Chem Eng J 2022, 440: 135855.
Hu FY, Zhang F, Wang XH, et al. Ultrabroad band microwave absorption from hierarchical MoO3/TiO2/Mo2TiC2T x hybrids via annealing treatment. J Adv Ceram 2022, 11: 1466–1478.
Niu HH, Jiang XW, Xia YD, et al. Construction of hydrangea-like core–shell SiO2@Ti3C2T x@CoNi microspheres for tunable electromagnetic wave absorbers. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 711–723.
Xia T, Zhang C, Oyler NA, et al. Hydrogenated TiO2 nanocrystals: A novel microwave absorbing material. Adv Mater 2013, 25: 6905–6910.
Huo J, Wang L, Yu HJ. Polymeric nanocomposites for electromagnetic wave absorption. J Mater Sci 2009, 44: 3917–3927.
Niu HH, Jiang XW, Li W, et al. Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption via optical fiber-like PMMA@Ti3C2T x @SiO2 composites with improved impedance matching. Nano Res 2024, 17: 1676–1686.
Yang RB, Reddy PM, Chang CJ, et al. Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4/polypyrrole/carbon nanotube composites with tunable microwave absorption properties: Role of carbon nanotube and polypyrrole content. Chem Eng J 2016, 285: 497–507.
Iijima S. Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon. Nature 1991, 354: 56–58.
Vázquez E, Prato M. Carbon nanotubes and microwaves: Interactions, responses, and applications. ACS Nano 2009, 3: 3819–3824.
Wang GZ, Gao Z, Tang SW, et al. Microwave absorption properties of carbon nanocoils coated with highly controlled magnetic materials by atomic layer deposition. ACS Nano 2012, 6: 11009–11017.
Zhang Y, Huang Y, Zhang TF, et al. Broadband and tunable high-performance microwave absorption of an ultralight and highly compressible graphene foam. Adv Mater 2015, 27: 2049–2053.
Hou TQ, Wang BB, Jia ZR, et al. A review of metal oxide-related microwave absorbing materials from the dimension and morphology perspective. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 2019, 30: 10961–10984.
Namsheer K, Rout CS. Conducting polymers: A comprehensive review on recent advances in synthesis, properties and applications. RSC Adv 2021, 11: 5659–5697.
Li W, Yu ZJ, Wen QB, et al. Ceramic-based electromagnetic wave absorbing materials and concepts towards lightweight, flexibility and thermal resistance. Int Mater Rev 2023, 68: 487–520.
Kota S, Sokol M, Barsoum MW. A progress report on the MAB phases: Atomically laminated, ternary transition metal borides. Int Mater Rev 2020, 65: 226–255.
Yin H, He XD, Song GP, et al. Ultra-fast synthesis and thermodynamic analysis of MoAlB by self-propagating high-temperature combustion synthesis. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 258–267.
Richardson PJ, Keast VJ, Cuskelly DT, et al. Theoretical and experimental investigation of the W–Al–B and Mo–Al–B systems to approach bulk WAlB synthesis. J Eur Ceram Soc 2021, 41: 1859–1868.
Jeitschko W. The crystal structure of Fe2AlB2. Acta Crystallogr 1969, B25: 163–165.
Bai YL, Qi XX, He XD, et al. Phase stability and weak metallic bonding within ternary-layered borides CrAlB, Cr2AlB2, Cr3AlB4, and Cr4AlB6. J Am Ceram Soc 2019, 102: 3715–3727.
Kota S, Chen YX, Wang JY, et al. Synthesis and characterization of the atomic laminate Mn2AlB2. J Eur Ceram Soc 2018, 38: 5333–5340.
Wang JJ, Ye TN, Gong YT, et al. Discovery of hexagonal ternary phase Ti2InB2 and its evolution to layered boride TiB. Nat Commun 2019, 10: 2284.
Shi OL, Xu LD, Jiang AN, et al. Synthesis and oxidation resistance of MoAlB single crystals. Ceram Int 2019, 45: 2446–2450.
Mou JJ, Li SB, Yao BX, et al. Cyclic oxidation behavior of MoAlB in the temperature range 450–850 °C. J Alloys Compd 2020, 831: 154802.
Chen YX, Kota S, Barsoum MW, et al. Compressive deformation of MoAlB up to 1100 °C. J Alloys Compd 2019, 774: 1216–1222.
Lu XG, Li SB, Zhang WW, et al. Crack healing behavior of a MAB phase: MoAlB. J Eur Ceram Soc 2019, 39: 4023–4028.
Li JL, Zhang F, Jiang XW, et al. Ternary borides Cr3AlB4: A novel material of layered structure for efficient broadband microwave-absorption. Ceram Int 2023, 49: 36988–36996.
Wu CW, Zhang F, Zhi Q, et al. From binary to ternary and back to binary: Transition of electromagnetic wave shielding to absorption among MAB phase Ni3ZnB2 and corresponding binary borides Ni n +1B n ( n = 1, 3). J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 2101–2111.
Zhang HM, Zhao B, Xiang HM, et al. Electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of Cr2AlB2 powders and the effect of high-temperature oxidation. J Am Ceram Soc 2021, 104: 2213–2224.
Zhi Q, Wu CW, Li MR, et al. Fe2AlB2: A novel ferromagnetic material with superior electromagnetic wave absorption performance. Ceram Int 2023, 49: 34182–34190.
Li XH, Cui HL, Zhang RZ. First-principles study of the electronic and optical properties of a new metallic MoAlB. Sci Rep 2016, 6: 39790.
Dai FZ, Feng ZH, Zhou YC. First-principles investigation on the chemical bonding, elastic properties and ideal strengths of MoAlB and WAlB nanolaminated MAB phases. Comput Mater Sci 2018, 147: 331–337.
Zhu XL, Yang W, Gao SS, et al. First-principles study of the elastic, hardness and electronic properties of MoAlB under high pressure. J Korean Phys Soc 2019, 74: 473–480.
Nie P, Zuo HK, Zhao LX, et al. Anisotropic Fermi surfaces, electrical transport, and two-dimensional Fermi liquid behavior in layered ternary boride MoAlB. Chin Phys Lett 2022, 39: 057102.
Qi XX, He XD, Yin WL, et al. Stability trend, weak bonding, and magnetic properties of the Al- and Si-containing ternary-layered borides MAB phases. J Am Ceram Soc 2023, 106: 1513–1530.
Kota S, Agne M, Zapata-Solvas E, et al. Elastic properties, thermal stability, and thermodynamic parameters of MoAlB. Phys Rev B 2017, 95: 144108.
Kresse G, Furthmüller J. Efficient iterative schemes for ab initio total-energy calculations using a plane-wave basis set. Phys Rev B 1996, 54: 11169–11186.
Perdew JP, Burke K, Ernzerhof M. Generalized gradient approximation made simple. Phys Rev Lett 1996, 77: 3865–3868.
Kresse G, Joubert D. From ultrasoft pseudopotentials to the projector augmented-wave method. Phys Rev B 1999, 59: 1758–1775.
Monkhorst HJ, Pack JD. Special points for Brillouin-zone integrations. Phys Rev B 1976, 13: 5188–5192.
Miles PA, Westphal WB, von Hippel A. Dielectric spectroscopy of ferromagnetic semiconductors. Rev Mod Phys 1957, 29: 279–307.
Huang YN, Si JG, Lin S, et al. Colossal 3D electrical anisotropy of MoAlB single crystal. Small 2022, 18: e2104460.
Potanin AY, Bashkirov EA, Pogozhev YS, et al. Synthesis, structure and properties of MAB phase MoAlB ceramics produced by combination of SHS and HP techniques. J Eur Ceram Soc 2022, 42: 6379–6390.
Su XJ, Dong J, Chu LS, et al. Synthesis, microstructure and properties of MoAlB ceramics prepared by in situ reactive spark plasma sintering. Ceram Int 2020, 46: 15214–15221.
Natu V, Kota SS, Barsoum MW. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the MAB phases, MoAlB, M2AlB2 (M = Cr, Fe), Cr3AlB4 and their binary monoborides. J Eur Ceram Soc 2020, 40: 305–314.
Shi XL, Cao MS, Yuan J, et al. Dual nonlinear dielectric resonance and nesting microwave absorption peaks of hollow cobalt nanochains composites with negative permeability. Appl Phys Lett 2009, 95: 163108.
Zhao B, Shao G, Fan BB, et al. Facile synthesis and enhanced microwave absorption properties of novel hierarchical heterostructures based on a Ni microsphere–CuO nano-rice core–shell composite. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015, 17: 6044–6052.
Zhao HQ, Cheng Y, Ma JN, et al. A sustainable route from biomass cotton to construct lightweight and high-performance microwave absorber. Chem Eng J 2018, 339: 432–441.
Wang XH, Qin J, Cui J, et al. Reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanofiber based composite fabrics with spider web-like structure for microwave absorbing applications. Adv Fiber Mater 2022, 4: 1164–1176.
Singh S, Kumar A, Agarwal S, et al. Synthesis and tunable microwave absorption characteristics of flower-like Ni/SiC composites. J Magn Magn Mater 2020, 503: 166616.
Shi YM, Luo F, Ding DH, et al. Effects of oxidation curing of polycarbosilane on dielectric and microwave absorption properties of PDCs–SiC ceramics. Int J Appl Ceram Technol 2016, 13: 17–22.
Zhou YL, Wang N, Qu XH, et al. Arc-discharge synthesis of nitrogen-doped C embedded TiCN nanocubes with tunable dielectric/magnetic properties for electromagnetic absorbing applications. Nanoscale 2019, 11: 19994–20005.
Liu Y, Luo F, Su JB, et al. Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of the nickel/Ti3SiC2 hybrid powders in X-band. J Magn Magn Mater 2014, 365: 126–131.
Yang SQ, Qin HL, Zhou CL, et al. YbSiOC ceramics with a multidimensional nanostructure for high-efficiency electromagnetic wave absorption. J Alloys Compd 2023, 943: 169183.
Guo Y, Jian X, Zhang L, et al. Plasma-induced FeSiAl@Al2O3@SiO2 core–shell structure for exceptional microwave absorption and anti-oxidation at high temperature. Chem Eng J 2020, 384: 123371.
Liang CY, Liu CY, Wang H, et al. SiC–Fe3O4 dielectric–magnetic hybrid nanowires: Controllable fabrication, characterization and electromagnetic wave absorption. J Mater Chem A 2014, 2: 16397–16402.
Sun MX, Lv XL, Xie AM, et al. Growing 3D ZnO nano-crystals on 1D SiC nanowires: Enhancement of dielectric properties and excellent electromagnetic absorption performance. J Mater Chem C 2016, 4: 8897–8902.
Liu XF, Zhang LT, Yin XW, et al. The microstructure and electromagnetic wave absorption properties of near-stoichiometric SiC fibre. Ceram Int 2017, 43: 3267–3273.
Liu QC, Zi ZF, Zheng QP, et al. Large-scale synthesis, characterization, and microwave absorption properties of manganese oxide nanowires. Integr Ferroelectr 2015, 164: 82–89.
Sun DP, Zou Q, Wang YP, et al. Controllable synthesis of porous Fe3O4@ZnO sphere decorated graphene for extraordinary electromagnetic wave absorption. Nanoscale 2014, 6: 6557–6562.
Wei B, Zhou JT, Yao ZJ, et al. The effect of Ag nanoparticles content on dielectric and microwave absorption properties of β-SiC. Ceram Int 2020, 46: 5788–5798.
Feng WL, Luo H, Wang Y, et al. Ti3C2 MXene: A promising microwave absorbing material. RSC Adv 2018, 8: 2398–2403.
Li X, You WB, Wang L, et al. Self-assembly-magnetized MXene avoid dual-agglomeration with enhanced interfaces for strong microwave absorption through a tunable electromagnetic property. ACS Appl Mater Inter 2019, 11: 44536–44544.
Hou TQ, Wang BB, Ma ML, et al. Preparation of two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2T x ) and NiCo2O4 composites to achieve excellent microwave absorption properties. Compos Part B Eng 2020, 180: 107577.
He J, Liu S, Deng LW, et al. Tunable electromagnetic and enhanced microwave absorption properties in CoFe2O4 decorated Ti3C2 MXene composites. Appl Surf Sci 2020, 504: 144210.
Qian Y, Wei HW, Dong JD, et al. Fabrication of urchin-like ZnO-MXene nanocomposites for high-performance electromagnetic absorption. Ceram Int 2017, 43: 10757–10762.
Liu TS, Liu N, Zhai SR, et al. Tailor-made core/shell/shell-like Fe3O4@SiO2@PPy composites with prominent microwave absorption performance. J Alloys Compd 2019, 779: 831–843.
Shi YM, Luo F, Liu Y, et al. Preparation and microwave absorption properties of Ti3AlC2 synthesized by pressureless sintering TiC/Ti/Al. Int J Appl Ceram Tec, 2015, 12: E172–E177.
Yao P, Qian YH, Li WC, et al. Exploration of dielectric and microwave absorption properties of quaternary MAX phase ceramic (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2. Ceram Int 2020, 46: 22919–22926.
Zhang Y, Wen J, Zhang L, et al. High antioxidant lamellar structure Cr2AlC: Dielectric and microwave absorption properties in X band. J Alloys Compd 2021, 860: 157896.
He MK, Hu JW, Yan H, et al. Shape anisotropic chain-like CoNi/polydimethylsiloxane composite films with excellent low-frequency microwave absorption and high thermal conductivity. Adv Funct Mater 2024: 2316691.
Fang PH. Cole–Cole diagram and the distribution of relaxation times. J Chem Phys 1965, 42: 3411–3413.
Wei CH, Shi LZ, Li MQ, et al. Hollow engineering of sandwich NC@Co/NC@MnO2 composites toward strong wideband electromagnetic wave attenuation. J Mater Sci Technol 2024, 175: 194–203.
Zhao B, Shao G, Fan BB, et al. Facile preparation and enhanced microwave absorption properties of core–shell composite spheres composited of Ni cores and TiO2 shells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015, 17: 8802–8810.
Kuriakose M, Longuemart S, Depriester M, et al. Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars effects on the thermal-transport properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. Phys Rev E 2014, 89: 022511.
1251
Views
362
Downloads
1
Crossref
0
Web of Science
1
Scopus
0
CSCD
Altmetrics
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).