Conductive WS₂-NS/CNTs hybrids based 3D ultra-thin mesh electromagnetic wave absorbers with excellent absorption performance

Herein, ultra-thin tungsten disulfide nanosheets/carbon nanotubes (WS₂-NS/CNTs) hybrids were successfully synthesized by using a one-step hydrothermal method. The WS₂-NS is evenly grown on the surfaces of CNTs, leading to a remarkable three-dimensional (3D) heterostructure. Outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the WS₂-NS/CNTs hybrids can be achieved by tuning the amount of CNTs. The minimum reflection loss can reach up to −51.6 dB at 14.8 GHz, and the effective absorption bandwidth is 5.4 GHz for the hybrids with a thickness of 1.95 mm. Comparison of the results with those of simple mixtures of WS₂-NS and CNTs prepared by using ultrasonic methods indicates that the absorption performance of the optimized WS₂-NS/CNTs hybrids are closely related to that of the 3D mesh conductive network constructed by the addition of CNTs and the synergistic effect of WS₂-NS and CNTs in the hybrids. These WS₂-NS/CNTs hybrids open a new avenue for the development of electromagnetic wave absorbers with extraordinary absorption performance, light weight, small thickness, broad absorption bandwidth, and low cost.