Synthesis and evaluation of microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4/Halloysite/polypyrrole nanocomposites

The Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3O4/Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were synthesised by the co -precipitation method and Fe3O4/HNTs/ polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites were synthesised by in situ polymerisation of pyrrole monomers on the surface of the Fe3O4/HNTs. The scanning electron microscopy images showed the uniform structure of nanocomposites. The Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the characteristic peaks of Halloysite and PPy. The Fe3O4/HNTs/PPy nanocomposite exhibits a saturated magnetisation of 6.7 emu/g. The microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4/HNTs/PPy nanocomposites were investigated in the 8-12 GHz (X-band) range. The value of the minimum reflection loss was obtained 26.2 dB at 11 GHz for the 3 mm thickness nanocomposite. The results showed the absorbing bandwidth below 10 dB was broadened to 2.3 GHz.