Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk-shell CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs mixed-dimensional MCNCs with tunable CNTs content were selectively synthesized via a combined PBA-derived and catalytic CVD strategy. • The unique hierarchical structure imparts excellent microwave absorption with RLmin of −71.70 dB at 2.78 mm and RCS reduction of −53.23 dB m2. • The MCNCs exhibit multifunctional properties including photothermal conversion, antimicrobial activity (~84.03% at 1 mg·mL−1), and anti-corrosion performance. • This work provides a generalizable route to fabricate multifunctional magnetic carbon-based nanocomposites for applications in complex environments.
Abstract
The previous studies mainly focused on improving microwave absorbing (MA) performances of MA materials. Even so, these designed MA materials were very difficult to be employed in complex and changing environments owing to their single-functionalities. Herein, a combined Prussian blue analogues derived and catalytical chemical vapor deposition strategy was proposed to produce hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk–shell CoNi@N-doped carbon (NC)-CoNi@carbon nanotubes (CNTs) mixed-dimensional multicomponent nanocomposites (MCNCs), which were composed of zero-dimensional CoNi nanoparticles, three-dimensional NC nanocubes and one-dimensional CNTs. Because of good impedance matching and attenuation characteristics, the designed CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs mixed-dimensional MCNCs exhibited excellent MA performances, which achieved a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −71.70 dB at 2.78 mm and Radar Cross section value of −53.23 dB m2. More importantly, the acquired results demonstrated that CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs MCNCs presented excellent photothermal, antimicrobial and anti-corrosion properties owing to their hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk–shell structure, highlighting their potential multifunctional applications. It could be seen that this finding not only presented a generalizable route to produce hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk–shell magnetic NC-CNTs-based mixed-dimensional MCNCs, but also provided an effective strategy to develop multifunctional MCNCs and improve their environmental adaptabilities.
1. Introduction
The previous studies mainly focused on improving microwave absorbing (MA) performances of MA materials. Even so, these designed MA materials were very difficult to be employed in complex and changing environments owing to their single-functionalities. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derivatives have attracted considerable attention due to their high porosity, structural and componential diversities. More importantly, the previous results revealed that MOFs derivatives could well inherit the advantages of MOFs precursors and metal/carbon components, which presented excellent properties including good thermal conductivity, high biocompatibility, low toxicity and light weight due to the special structures and carbon skeleton. Therefore, constructing MOFs derivatives is a desirable strategy to develop high efficiency MA materials with the features of low density, strong absorption and wide bandwidth.
However, a single structure (core–shell, yolk–shell), weak chemical stability, and great functional integration difficulty of MOF derivatives limit their applications in multifunctional materials. It has been reported that the mixed-dimension and hierarchical structure are an effective strategy to solve the above problems: (i) Giving MOF derivatives higher structural flexibility to more easily integrate with other functional materials, (ii) structural units of different dimensions often have different physical and chemical properties, allowing the MOFs derivatives to have multiple functional properties simultaneously, and (iii) enhance the chemical and thermal stability of MOF derivatives. In addition, CNTs are the preferred candidates for preparing multifunctional materials due to their excellent mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, chemical stability and so on.
Inspired by the mentioned above and our previous work, magnetic carbon-based CNTs multicomponent nanocomposites (MCNCs) with mixed-dimensional hierarchical structure derived from MOFs is a promising way to expand the multifunctionality. Herein, we report a scalable strategy to fabricate hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk–shell CoNi@N-doped carbon (NC)-CoNi@CNTs mixed-dimensional MCNCs, which are composed of 0D CoNi nanoparticles, three-dimensional (3D) NC nanocubes and 1D CNTs through a combined Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) derived and catalytical chemical vapor deposition strategy. Owing to the special structure and synergistic effect among the component substances, the designed CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs mixed-dimensional MCNCs present excellent MA performances, photothermal, antimicrobial and anti-corrosion properties.
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Qiqin Liang, Mukun He, Beibei Zhan, Hua Guo, Xiaosi Qi, Yunpeng Qu, Yali Zhang, Wei Zhong, Junwei Gu (2025). Yolk–Shell CoNi@N‑Doped Carbon‑CoNi@CNTs for Enhanced Microwave Absorption, Photothermal, Anti‑Corrosion, and Antimicrobial Properties. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01626-8
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum reflection loss achieved by the CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs nanocomposites?
The CoNi@NC-CoNi@CNTs mixed-dimensional MCNCs achieved a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −71.70 dB at a thickness of 2.78 mm, indicating excellent microwave absorption performance.
What are the key multifunctional properties of the synthesized material?
The material exhibits excellent microwave absorption, photothermal conversion, antimicrobial activity (with ~84.03% antimicrobial rate at 1 mg·mL−1 concentration), and anti-corrosion properties, making it suitable for applications in complex environments.
How were the hierarchical cubic sea urchin-like yolk-shell structures synthesized?
The structures were synthesized via a combined Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) derived and catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) strategy, resulting in mixed-dimensional nanocomposites composed of 0D CoNi nanoparticles, 3D N-doped carbon nanocubes, and 1D carbon nanotubes.
What is the significance of the mixed-dimensional hierarchical structure?
The mixed-dimensional hierarchical structure enhances structural flexibility, allows integration of multiple functional properties, and improves chemical and thermal stability, overcoming limitations of single-structure MOF derivatives.
What is the Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction value reported?
The RCS reduction value is −53.23 dB m2, indicating significant radar stealth capability.
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