Synthesis and microwave absorption properties of novel reticulation SiC/Porous melamine-derived carbon foam

The ultrathin SiC coating/melamine-derived porous carbon foam composite (SiC/PCF) was synthesized for the first time by the stable treatment of the commercial melamine foam (MF), carbonization stage of the steady MF, and chemical vapor deposition of the SiC thin films. The microstructure analysis demonstrated that the SiC/PCF composites with layered structures and altered dielectric response were fabricated eventually. The minimum reflection loss of −25.93 dB was obtained when the thickness was 1.05 mm and the measured frequency was 17.20 GHz. Meanwhile, the reflection loss could drop below −10 dB in the whole thickness with the frequency ranging from 3.00 to 18.00 GHz, which showed a more excellent microwave absorbing performance compared with PCF. Furthermore, the influencing mechanism of both the impedance matching ratio and attenuation constant was discussed to provide actual guidances in designing excellent microwave absorbing materials for functional applications. •We introduced a simple method to prepare the SiC/PCF composite.•The minimum reflection loss of −25.93 dB was obtained at 1.05 mm at 17.20 GHz.•The influencing mechanism of the SiC/PCF composite was discussed.•It provided actual guidances in designing excellent microwave absorbing materials.