Tailorable microwave absorption properties of macro-porous core@shell structured SiC@Ti₃SiC₂ via molten salt shielded synthesis (MS³) method in air

High-performance microwave absorption and lightweight design have evolved into the foremost critical considerations in the practical application of modern microwave absorbing materials. In view of this, macro-porous core-shell structured SiC@Ti₃SiC₂ were prepared through a facile molten salt shielded synthesis method in air. Distinctly, the minimum reflection loss (RL) value of SiC@Ti₃SiC₂ could reach − 68.59 dB at 9.76 GHz with the bandwidth of RL< −10 dB of 5.6 GHz when the absorber thickness is 2.3 mm. The synergistic mechanism of the multiple scattering, conductive loss, and significant polarization effects of macro-porous (average 53 nm) core-shell structured SiC compounded with nano-layered Ti₃SiC₂ (∼60 nm) is reviewed for the considerable improvement of electromagnetic wave absorption properties. This work provides a practical reference for the design and synthesis of high-performance Ti₃SiC₂-based microwave absorbers.