Enhanced anti-corrosion and microwave absorption properties of novel binary titanium niobium nitrides nanofiber

In this study, the novel binary titanium niobium nitride nanofibers with dual functionalities of microwave absorption and corrosion resistance were synthesized. The results of XRD, XPS and EDS indicated that the as-prepared nanofibers was NbTiN 2 phase with residual oxygen, which is favorable to the enhancement of impedance matching and interface polarization. Furthermore, the results of SEM and TEM demonstrated that the NbTiN 2 nanofibers possess porous fibrous structure, resulting in the improvement of dipole polarization, interface polarization and multiple reflections. As a result, when the matching layer thickness was only 1.9 mm, the optimal reflection loss value reached − 44.97 dB, which was superior to the single-metal nitride nanofibers. Furthermore, the adulteration of Nb into TiN induces the generation of NbTiN 2 solid solution and the TiNbN 2 nanofibers exhibit stronger inertness characteristics, smallest corrosion current, highest corrosion voltage, indicating that it possesses excellent corrosion resistance. Consequently, the dual-function of microwave absorbing and corrosion resistance could be regulated simultaneously via adulteration of Nb into TiN to form the novel binary titanium niobium nitride nanofiber.