Fabrication, microstructure and microwave absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotube decorated with CdS nanocrystal

In this work, CdS-MWCNT heterostructure was achieved via a one-step approach. CdS-MWCNT composites with wax matrix were prepared. The composites show high permittivity and excellent microwave absorption. Compared to the MWCNT composites, microwave absorption of the CdS-MWCNT composites with the same mass ratio increases to about 1-1.6 times, and the increment of bandwidth is over 1 GHz. The enhanced attenuation capacity arises from CdS nanocrystal and heterostructure interface. Cooperation of interface polarization and conductivity inside the composites increases the microwave attenuation of the composites. Furthermore, light weight is achieved due to the decreasing thickness of the CdS-MWCNT composites. The results suggest that the CdS-MWCNT composite is a highly promising candidate for microwave attenuation in many application fields. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.