The electrochemical preparation and microwave absorption properties of magnetic carbon fibers coated with Fe3O4 films

Electrodeposition was employed to fabricate magnetite (Fe3O4) coated carbon fibers (MCCFs). Temperature and fiber surface pretreatment had a significant influence on the composition and morphology of Fe3O4 films. Uniform and compact Fe3O4 films were fabricated at 75 °C on both nitric acid treated and untreated carbon fibers, while the films prepared at 60 °C were continuous and rough. Microwave measurements of MCCF/paraffin composites (50 wt.% of MCCFs, pretreated carbon fibers as deposition substrates) were carried out in the 2–18 GHz frequency range. MCCFs prepared at 60 °C obtained a much higher loss factor than that prepared at 75 °C. However, the calculation results of reflection loss were very abnormal that MCCFs prepared at 60 °C almost had no absorption property. While MCCFs prepared at 75 °C exhibited a good absorption property and obtained −10 dB and −20 dB refection loss in wide matching thickness ranges (1.0–6.0 mm and 1.7–6.0 mm range, respectively). A secondary attenuation peak could also be observed when the thickness of MCCF/paraffin composite exceeded 4.0 mm. The minimum reflection loss was lower.