Development of silicon carbide (SiC)-based composites as microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs): a review

Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) represent a class of functional materials endowed with the capability to dissipate electromagnetic waves by converting them into thermal energy. Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the most extensively used dielectric materials for achieving efficient microwave absorption. However, the single polarization behavior and poor electrical conductivity of SiC significantly constrain its application in microwave absorption. To address this limitation, various modification techniques, including the incorporation of ceramics, carbonaceous, magnetic, and polymeric materials, are employed in conjunction with SiC to enhance its microwave absorption properties. Geometrical variations, such as employing SiC with variable crystal structures, sizes, and shapes, along with structural alterations in the composite morphology, such as core-shell composites, have proven instrumental in achieving enhanced microwave absorption behavior. Additionally, mixing SiC with other materials contributes to improved performance. The preparation of SiC composites involving various filler particles, combined with structural modifications, facilitates the activation of various absorption mechanisms. These mechanisms encompass parallel plate capacitance, multiple scatterings, multiple reflections, interfacial polarization, defect-induced dipole polarization, and magnetic loss. This review article delves into various recently developed SiC-based composites, discussing their absorption mechanisms that yield significant microwave absorption behavior. Furthermore, this article also introduces the application of ranking techniques such as TOPSIS and VIKOR, based on microwave absorption properties, to evaluate and compare these composites.