Nickel-assisted synthesis of magnetic bamboo-shaped N-doped carbon nanostructure for excellent microwaves absorption

The development of carbon materials with unique nanostructure and appropriate magnetism is of great importance in design of high-performance microwaves absorption materials. In this work, we provide a convenient strategy for one-step synthesis of a bamboo-shaped magnetic N-doped carbon nanotube (BMN-CNT) via a nickel (Ni)-assisted pyrolysis process. During synthetic process, Ni nanoparticles form and play as a catalyst for the catalytic calcination of melamine. The BMN-CNT exhibits excellent microwaves absorption performance, where the maximal reaches − 19 dB. A model referring to multi-polarization, internal reflection, and magnetic loss is used to explain the dissipation mechanism of BMN-CNT on microwaves. This research opens up the exploration of novel magnetic carbon nanostructures for MA applications. [Display omitted] •Bamboo-shaped magnetic N-doped carbon nanotube (BMN-CNT) was prepared via Ni-assisted pyrolysis.•The microwaves absorption properties of BMN-CNT were investigated.•BMN-CNT shows obviously dielectric and magnetic effect on microwaves.