Ultrahigh Density of Atomic CoFe-Electron Synergy in Noncontinuous Carbon Matrix for Highly Efficient Magnetic Wave Adsorption

Improving the atom utilization of metals and clarifying the M–M’ interaction is both greatly significant in assembling high-performance ultra-light electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials. Herein, a high-temperature explosion strategy has been successfully applied to assemble the hierarchical porous carbon sponge with Co–Fe decoration via the pyrolysis of the energetic metal organic framework. The as-constructed hybrid displays a superior reflection loss (RL) value of − 57.7 dB and a specific RL value of − 192 dB mg−1 mm−1 at 12.08 GHz with a layer thickness of 2.0 mm (loading of 15 wt%). The off-axis electron hologram characterizes the highly distributed numerous polarized nanodomain variable capacitors, demonstrating the dipole and interfacial polarization along the edges of the nanopores. More importantly, the X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis verifies the mutual interaction between the metal cluster and carbon matrix and the electronic coupling responsible for the greatly improved electromagnetic wave absorption.