Microwave attenuation of multiwalled carbon nanotube-fusedsilica composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to convert radome materials to microwave absorbing materials. Dense MWCNT-fused silica composites were prepared by hot-pressing technique. The composites exhibit high complex permittivities at X-band frequencies, depending on the content of MWCNTs. The value of the loss tangent increases three orders over pure fused silica only by incorporating 2.5 vol % MWCNTs into the composites. The average magnitude of microwave transmission reaches − 33 dB at 11 - 12 GHz in the 10 vol % MWCNT-fused silica composites, which indicates the composites have excellent microwave attenuation properties. The attenuation properties mainly originate from the electric loss of MWCNTs by the motion of conducting electrons.