Multifunctional elastic rGO hybrid aerogels for microwave absorption, infrared stealth and heat insulation

The application of advanced radar and infrared detection technology promotes the development of microwave-infrared compatible stealth technology, but also poses great challenges. Especially for the new generation of stealth fighters, how to facilely prepare a lightweight stealth material in both microwave and infrared is urgent. Herein, hierarchically porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/graphene oxide nanoribbon (GONR) aerogels (GG) with excellent stealth properties were prepared through green reduction and pyrolysis of the gel formed by GO and GONR. Remarkably, the aerogel (0.008 g/cm³) shows strongest yet broadest electromagnetic absorption when the percentage of GO and GONR is equal (GG33). Its effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) achieves 8.45 GHz and RL is up to −63.52 dB measured by coaxial method. In addition, the plane of GG33 exhibits a broad EAB of 8.52 GHz verified by the arch method. These are mainly attributed to the optimal impedance matching characteristics and increased polarization centers. Moreover, the porous structure formed by the rGO adsorbed with GONR ensures its eminent thermal insulation (less than 0.06 Wm/K), which is the key to infrared stealth. Interestingly, GG aerogels display great elasticity with reversible compressibility, fatigue resistance (100 % recovery after 1000th cycles under 30 % strain), and compression resistance sensitivity. In short, these excellent properties make ultra-lightweight multifunctional aerogels promising for various applications such as microwave-infrared compatible stealth aircrafts and portable electronic devices.