Evaluation of Microwave Absorption Performance of Annealed Cr₂AlC at Different Temperatures

Cr2AlC (CAC) has attracted increasing attention due to high conductivity and excellent oxidation resistance, which is useful for high-temperature microwave absorption. However, systematic research on microwave absorption performance of CAC at high temperatures is still lacking. In this work, CAC was synthesized by salt bath method followed by annealing at 500 degrees C-950 degrees C. Effects of various annealing temperatures on compositions and electromagnetic properties were studied. Results revealed slight oxidation of CAC at annealing temperature of 500 degrees C, with formation of small amounts of Al2O3 and Cr2O3 on the surface. Increase in annealing temperature to 950 degrees C generated Al2O3 and Cr2O3 components in CAC. CAC annealed at 500 degrees C showed better microwave absorption properties than annealed at 950 degrees C and pure CAC. Effective absorption bandwidth (Reflection loss, RL < -10 dB) of CAC annealed at 500 degrees C was estimated to 2.3 GHz (9.7-12.0 GHz), and RLmin was -28.1 dB with thickness of 2.0 mm. The reason for this had to do with appropriate micro-oxidation, which could increase the permittivity of CAC and enhance dielectric loss capability for electromagnetic waves. In sum, these findings look promising to have referential significance for the application and promotion of CAC in the field of high temperature microwave absorption. (C) 2022 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.