High performance X-band electromagnetic wave absorption of SiBCN metamaterials fabricated by direct pyrolysis

Electromagnetic wave (EMW)-absorbing ceramic metamaterials without doping absorbers were prepared by direct pyrolysis of polymer-derived SiBCN ceramics (PDC-SiBCN). The pyrolytic behavior of the ceramics, the effect of the pyrolysis temperature on the mechanical strength, and the EMW absorption properties of the metamaterials are discussed in detail. The mechanism of the enhanced EMW absorption by the metamaterials was further analyzed. The results indicated that PDC-SiBCN demonstrated the optimum impedance matching and absorption performance at a pyrolysis temperature of 1500 °C. The metamaterial can effectively absorb the full X-band when its thickness is in the range of 4.3–5.7 mm. When the thickness was adjusted to 4.7 mm, the minimum reflection coefficient (RC) reached − 26.6 dB. In addition, the flexural strength of the metamaterial was 31.2 MPa, and the compressive strength was 96.9 MPa, which is 60 times higher than that of the solid structure. This study provides a feasible guide for the simple fabrication of lightweight, high-strength, and high-performance EMW-absorbing materials.