Design of amorphous/nanocrystalline turing structures in ZrO2/C nanofibers for enhanced microwave absorption performance

Yaqing Li, Cheng Fang, Bei Cai, Xu Long, Wei Xie, Huimin Xiang, Hailong Wang, Yanchun Zhou

Extreme Materials ›› 2026, Vol. 2 ›› Issue (1) : 47-57.

PDF(16618 KB)
PDF(16618 KB)
Extreme Materials ›› 2026, Vol. 2 ›› Issue (1) : 47-57. DOI: 10.1016/j.exm.2026.100022

Design of amorphous/nanocrystalline turing structures in ZrO2/C nanofibers for enhanced microwave absorption performance

Author information +
History +

Abstract

With the growing prominence of electromagnetic pollution, the development of lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials has become an important research focus. Inspired by biological Turing structures, this study successfully prepares novel flexible ZrO2/C nanofibers with a spotted reaction-diffusion pattern via a controlled oxidation strategy from preformed ZrC/C nanofibers. The ZrO2/C nanofibers sample contains ZrO2 particles embedded within a carbon matrix, which contributes to the formation of numerous heterogeneous interfaces. Furthermore, both the ZrO2 and carbon matrix exhibit a mixed amorphous-nanocrystalline structure, thereby enhancing interfacial diversity and density. The ZrO2/C Turing structural characteristic enhances impedance matching in the nanofibers and significantly improves the polarization loss capability. The obtained novel nanofibers achieve a minimum reflection loss of −59.20 dB, a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.84 GHz, and require a matching thickness of only 2.39 mm. Computer simulation technology (CST) simulations indicate a maximum radar cross-section reduction of 34.94 dB m2, highlighting the material’ s radar stealth capability. The study provides a new strategy for designing lightweight and high-performance fiber-based EMW absorption materials.

Key words

ZrO2/C nanofibers / Electromagnetic wave absorption / Turing structure / Amorphous/nanocrystalline

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations
Yaqing Li , Cheng Fang , Bei Cai , et al . Design of amorphous/nanocrystalline turing structures in ZrO2/C nanofibers for enhanced microwave absorption performance[J]. Extreme Materials. 2026, 2(1): 47-57 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exm.2026.100022

References

List( Publishing order | Descend order by publishing year | Descend order by cited within ) Chart analysis
[1]
H.L. Lv, Z.H. Yang, H.G. Pan, R.B. Wu, Electromagnetic absorption materials: current progress and new frontiers, Prog. Mater. Sci. 127 (2022) 100946.
Cited in this article [1]
[2]
L. Zhang, Y.S. Huo, Y. Liu, M.S. Zhao, Y.J. Tan, S.Y. Huo, L. Yao, S.H. Qu, Z.H. He, Design and synthesis of non-homogeneous CoS2/carbon composite fibers for enhanced microwave absorption, Carbon 236 (2025) 120120.
Cited in this article [1]
[3]
J.R. Guo, S.B. Fu, Y.P. Deng, X. Xu, S. Laima, D.Z. Liu, P.Y. Zhang, J. Zhou, H. Zhao, H.X. Yu, S.X. Dang, J.I. Zhang, Y.D. Zhao, H. Li, X.F. Duan, Hypocrystalline ceramic aerogels for thermal insulation at extreme conditions, Nature 606 (7916) (2022) 909.
Cited in this article [1]
[4]
H. Zhu, X.L. Weng, M. Liao, J. Zheng, M. Bi, ZrO2-interface-engineered SiC nanofiber aerogel with integrated hydrophobicity, thermal insulation, and broadband electromagnetic wave absorption, Appl. Surf. Sci. 711 (2025) 164079.
Cited in this article [1]
[5]
X.N. Wang, L.P. Liu, X.P. Wang, X.J. Bai, J.G. Qin, X.X. Li, B. Wang, Joule heat induced ultrafine ZrO2/C composites for enhanced microwave absorption, Surf. Interfaces 51 (2024) 104818.
Cited in this article [2]
[6]
J.S. Im, J.G. Kim, T.S. Bae, Y.S. Lee, Effect of heat treatment on ZrO2-embedded electrospun carbon fibers used for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding, J. Phys. Chem. Solids 72 (10) (2011) 1175-1179.
Cited in this article [1]
[7]
Z. Tan, S.F. Chen, X.S. Peng, L. Zhang, C.J. Gao, Polyamide membranes with nanoscale Turing structures for water purification, Science 360 (6388) (2018) 518-521.
Cited in this article [1]
[8]
K.R. Song, S.B. Wu, X.S. Shan, S.Y. Huang, G.D. Zhao, D.Y. Zhao, Fabrication and characterization of ZrC nano-ceramics derived from a single-source precursor and its feasibility as ZrC/C fibers in structure and function, Ceram. Int. 48 (23) (2022) 35011-35022.
Cited in this article [1]
[9]
X.Y. Tao, S.X. Zhou, J.E. Ma, Z.M. Xiang, R.L. Hou, J.J. Wang, X.Y. Li, A facile method to prepare ZrC fibers by electrospinning and pyrolysis of polymeric precursors, Ceram. Int. 43 (4) (2017) 3910-3914.
Cited in this article [1]
[10]
X.Y. Liu, Z.K. Zhang, F.Y. Wu, F.Y. Tian, J. Sheng, M.G. Li, J.M. Li, W.W. Yang, Y.S. Yu, Insight of multi-polarization effect by constructing high-entropy spinel ferrite/perovskite @amorphous carbon for enhancing electromagnetic wave absorption, Chem. Eng. J. 516 (2025) 164053.
Cited in this article [1]
[11]
J. Gong, B. Michalkiewicz, X.C. Chen, E. Mijowska, J. Liu, Z.W. Jiang, X. Wen, T. Tang, Sustainable conversion of mixed plastics into porous carbon nanosheets with high performances in uptake of carbon dioxide and storage of hydrogen, Acs. Sustain. Chem. Eng. 2 (12) (2014) 2837-2844.
Cited in this article [1]
[12]
K. Zhao, F. Ye, L.F. Cheng, R.Z. Liu, J. Liang, X. Li, Synthesis of embedded ZrC-SiC-C microspheres via carbothermal reduction for thermal stability and electromagnetic wave absorption, Appl. Surf. Sci. 591 (2022) 153105.
Cited in this article [1]
[13]
Q. Li, G.M. Shi, N. Wang, Q. Guo, M.Q. Geng, Y.X. Dai, Y. Qi, B.W. Zhang, Shell layer oxygen vacancies enhance the microwave-absorbing properties of TiN@CN/ WO3-x multiple heterogeneous materials, Diam. Relat. Mater. 157 (2025) 112485.
Cited in this article [1]
[14]
M. Jin, B. Xu, J. Ma, C.C. Yi, Y.F. Liu, Manipulating the surface oxygen vacancies of the nanosized ZrO2 carrier for Co-catalyzed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 13 (9) (2025) 3741-3751.
Cited in this article [1]
[15]
Z.L. Hou, X.S. Gao, J.Y. Zhang, G.S. Wang, A perspective on impedance matching and resonance absorption mechanism for electromagnetic wave absorbing, Carbon 222 (2024) 118935.
Cited in this article [1]
[16]
J. Qiao, X. Zhang, C. Liu, Z.H. Zeng, Y.F. Yang, L.L. Wu, F.L. Wang, Z. Wang, W. Liu, J.R. Liu, Facile synthesis of MnS nanoparticle embedded porous carbon nanocomposite fibers for broadband electromagnetic wave absorption, Carbon 191 (2022) 525-534.
Cited in this article [2]
[17]
K. Wang, K. Zhao, Q.N. Meng, X. Li, Q. Bai, H. Jiao, Y.F. Tang, Preparation of zirconium carbide nanofibers by electrospinning of pure zirconium-containing polymer, Ceram. Int. 48 (17) (2022) 25474-25483.
Cited in this article [1]
[18]
H. Zhang, Y.P. Zhao, X. Yang, G.L. Zhao, D.M. Zhang, H. Huang, S.T. Yang, N.X. Wen, M. Javid, Z. Fan, L.J. Pan, A facile synthesis of novel amorphous TiO2 nanorods decorated rGO hybrid composites with wide band microwave absorption, Nanomaterials 10 (11) (2020) 2141.
Cited in this article [1]
[19]
B. Li, G.F. Xu, L. Fu, Y. Li, J.W. Huang, Crystal growth by ordered coalescence of lattice arrays in ZrO2-based nanocomposites at the early stage of crystallization, Mater. Charact. 168 (2020) 110573.
Cited in this article [2]
[20]
Y.Q. Liang, H.Z. Cheng, Y.J. Zhang, J.Y. Jin, Y. Wang, J. Gu, J. Yang, Y.S. Li, Amorphous Zr-MOFs derived high-quality ZrC nanoparticles to prepare ZrC ceramics, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 45 (12) (2025) 117447.
Cited in this article [1]
[21]
S. Zhang, X.H. Wang, C. Zhang, H.M. Xiang, Y.W. Li, C. Fang, M.L. Li, H.L. Wang, Y.C. Zhou, Microstructure, elastic/mechanical and thermal properties of CrTaO4: a new thermal barrier material, J. Adv. Ceram. 13 (3) (2024) 373-387.
Cited in this article [1]
[22]
H.Y. Luo, J.C. Cao, The epitaxial growth of TiC on ZrC in low-carbon steel, Mater. Sci. Tech. Lond. 38 (11) (2022) 730-733.
Cited in this article [1]
[23]
G.R. Yang, B. Wen, Z.Y. Zhou, S.L. Wang, H.Y. Zhao, S.J. Ding, W. Yan, Flexible cobalt nanoparticles/carbon nanofibers with macroporous structures toward superior electromagnetic wave absorption, J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 636 (2023) 194-203.
Cited in this article [1]
[24]
J.X. Cui, Q. Luo, Z.G. Zhang, J.C. He, Q.Z. Yang, B.L. Shen, Reversing relaxation- induced embrittlement by high-temperature thermal cyclic annealing in Zr-based metallic glass, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 30 (2024) 9148-9157.
Cited in this article [1]
[25]
W.T. Yang, Y.Y. Xie, S.M. Xu, G. Wu, Y.Z. Wang, Upcycling of polyvinyl chloride to porous carbon for high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption materials, Chem. Eng. J. 496 (2024) 154054.
Cited in this article [2]
[26]
Y.X. Wang, W. Cui, Z.X. Li, L. Zhang, Y. Ren, X.X. Wu, Z.H. He, Y.S. Huo, Enhanced interfacial polarization of SiC/C nanofibers loaded with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for improved electromagnetic wave absorption, Sci. China Technol. Sc. 68 (3) (2025) 1320201.
Cited in this article [1]
[27]
Y.S. Huo, K. Zhao, P. Miao, J. Kong, Z.L. Xu, K. Wang, F.P. Li, Y.F. Tang, Microwave absorption performance of SiC/ZrC/SiZrOC hybrid nanofibers with enhanced high- temperature oxidation resistance, Acs. Sustain. Chem. Eng. 8 (28) (2020) 10490-10501.
Cited in this article [1]
[28]
X.X. Zhang, M.Y. Hao, Y.G. Zhang, R.Z. Li, A.Q. Lin, Z.P. Shen, X. Qian, P. Xu, H.X. Peng, C.X. Zhu, H.Q. Song, Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption performance in carbon fiber via continuous surface modification with layered double oxides, J. Alloy. Compd. 1022 (2025) 108816.
Cited in this article [1]
[29]
X.Q. Yin, Y.Y. Wang, N. Pang, C.H. Liu, Y. Xu, M.J. Yu, C.J. Zhou, Ultralight, highly elastic ZrO2/carbon fiber reinforced reduced graphene oxide aerogels with radar and infrared stealth capabilities, Compos. Part. BEng. 303 (2025) 112628.
Cited in this article [2]
[30]
J.X. Liu, S. Lv, H.Q. Hao, H.R. Zhao, W.H. Wang, Q.H. Jing, S.Q. Yan, J. Guo, Z.J. Wang, Design of low-shrinkage SiC/ZrO2 porous ceramic for broadband electromagnetic wave absorption, J. Alloy. Compd. 1016 (2025) 178852.
Cited in this article [3]
[31]
S.K. Hou, Y. Wang, F. Gao, F. Jin, W.J. Liang, Z.Z. Ge, G.X. Bai, X. Peng, H. Yang, Construction of hierarchical SnO2@SnS2 nanostructures on carbon cloth as advanced microwave absorbers, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. El. 34 (32) (2023) 2144.
Cited in this article [2]
[32]
Q.Y. Li, L.Y. Liu, Q. Zhang, H. Kimura, C.X. Hou, F.S. Li, X.B. Xie, X.Q. Sun, J. Zhang, N.N. Wu, W. Du, X.Y. Zhang, Heterogeneous interfaces in 3D interconnected networks of flower-like 1T/ 2H Molybdenum disulfide nanosheets and carbon-fibers boosts superior EM wave absorption, J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 671 (2024) 67-77.
Cited in this article [1]
[33]
K.S. Cole, R.H. Cole, Cole, Dispersion and absorption in dielectrics I. Alternating current characteristics, J. Chem. Phys. 9 (1941) 341.
Cited in this article [1]
[34]
J.H. Zhang, Q. Li, Y. Jia, Y. Wang, J. Yang, TiN nanoparticles-decorated SiOC ceramic fibers with electromagnetic wave absorption and optimized infrared stealth properties, J. Alloy. Compd. 1038 (2025) 182668.
Cited in this article [1]
[35]
B.D. Li, Y.L. Deng, C. Liu, J. Qiao, S.Y. Hou, N. Wu, F. Wu, Z.H. Zeng, J.R. Liu, Rare earth oxides CeO2 nanoparticle embedded magnetic carbon nanofibers for electro- magnetic cooperation and efficient electromagnetic wave absorption, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 217 (2025) 1-8.
Cited in this article [1]
[36]
J. Qiao, X. Zhang, D.M. Xu, L.X. Kong, L.F. Lv, F. Yang, F.L. Wang, W. Liu, J.R. Liu, Design and synthesis of Ti2/Co/carbon nanofibers with tunable and efficient electromagnetic absorption, Chem. Eng. J. 380 (2020) 122591.
Cited in this article [1]
[37]
F.H. Xu, Y.X. Wang, F.C. Tang, X.L. Dai, Z.Y. Zhao, Y. Kong, X.D. Shen, G.F. Shao, Synergistic enhancement of structure and function in carbonaceous SiC aerogels for improved microwave absorption, Carbon 233 (2025) 119854.
Cited in this article [1]
[38]
D.Q. Huang, X.Y. Zhang, J.F. Dai, Z.Z. Yuan, One-dimensional C/Co composite nanofibers derived from ZIF-67 with excellent wideband electromagnetic microwave absorption performance, Colloid Surf. A 707 (2025) 13910.
Cited in this article [1]
[39]
J.H. Zhu, W. Wang, Q. Zhang, Y.N. Fan, L. Liu, J.H. Yan, J.Y. Yu, Constructing magnetic carbon nanofiber composites with magnetic-electric synergistic loss effects for efficient microwave absorption, Compos. Part. BEng. 302 (2025) 112551.
Cited in this article [1]
[40]
X. Yang, B.H. Li, B.S. Lin, H. Wang, T. Zhu, X. Su, Y.Y. Gao, Z.L. Lei, P.A. Liu, Q.Q. Yu, L.G. Wang, Dielectric synergistic gradient metamaterials enable exceptional ultra-wideband microwave absorption and antibacterial properties, Carbon 232 (2025) 119813.
Cited in this article [1]
[41]
Z.Y. Zhang, Y.H. Zhao, Z.H. Li, L.J. Zhang, Z.X. Liu, Z.K. Long, Y.J. Li, Y. Liu, R.H. Fan, K. Sun, Z.D. Zhang, Synthesis of carbon/SiO2 core-sheath nanofibers with Co-Fe nanoparticles embedded in via electrospinning for high-performance microwave absorption, Adv. Compos. Hybrid. Mater. 5 (1) (2022) 513-524.
Cited in this article [1]
[42]
H. Han, Z.C. Lou, Q.Y. Wang, L. Xu, Y.J. Li, Introducing rich heterojunction surfaces to enhance the high-frequency electromagnetic attenuation response of flexible fiber-based wearable absorbers, Adv. Fiber Mater. 6 (3) (2024) 739-757.
Cited in this article [1]
[43]
I. Abdalla, A. Elhassan, S. Ali, M.Y.H. Saty, E. Adam, L.H. Zou, Q.Q. Ni, Z.Z. Xu, Impact of defect-rich carbon nanofibers combined with magnetic materials on broadband electromagnetic wave absorption and radar cross-section reduction, Small Struct. 6 (7) (2025) 2400624.
Cited in this article [1]
[44]
J. Wang, M.J. Han, Y.N. Liu, Y. Xiang, C.B. Liang, X.G. Su, Y.Q. Liu, Multifunctional microwave absorption materials of multiscale cobalt sulfide/diatoms co-doped carbon aerogel, J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 646 (2023) 970-979.
Cited in this article [1]
[45]
C.W. Yang, K.W. Li, M.G. Hu, X.Y. Li, M. Li, X.Y. Hu, Y. Li, Z.L. Huang, G.W. Meng, Flexible ZrO2/ZrB2/C nanofiber felt with enhanced microwave absorption and ultralow thermal conductivity, J. Mater. 11 (4) (2025) 100988.
Cited in this article [1]
[46]
Y. Guo, Q. Song, L.L. Zhang, X. Yang, W. Li, F. Zhao, S.Y. Zhang, L.H. Qi, High- aspect-ratio ZrC whiskers: synthesis, growth mechanism and electromagnetic wave absorption properties, J. Mater. 9 (2) (2023) 235-243.
Cited in this article [1]
[47]
S. Tang, X.M. Fan, Z.L. Jia, M.H. Li, F. Ye, J.M. Xue, Effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure, dielectric, and microwave absorption performance of precursor blends derived ZrSiOCN ceramics, Ceram. Int. 50 (1) (2024) 2211-2220.
Cited in this article [1]
[48]
H.L. Xing, Q.P. Liu, L.G. Zhang, Y. Liu, M.Q. Hu, One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of MWCNT/ZrO2 composites for enhancing electromagnetic wave absorption performance, Nano 15 (3) (2020) 2050034.
Cited in this article [1]
[49]
B.J. Zhang, Z.W. Tong, X. Wang, X.H. Chen, X.D. Wen, C. Ma, Zirconium-modified hierarchical porous SiC-based nanofibrous aerogel with efficient electromagnetic waves absorption and thermal insulation properties, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 45 (1) (2025) 116808.
Cited in this article [1]

Declaration of competing interest

We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in, or the review of, the manuscript entitled “Design of amorphous/nanocrystalline turing structures in ZrO2/C nanofibers for enhanced microwave absorption performance”.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found in the online version at 10.1016/j.exm.2026.100022.

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U23A20562, 52172075, 52302074 and 52302066), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2021M702931), the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (No. 232300421323).

PDF(16618 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail
Sections
Recommended
Copyright © Extreme Materials
Published by INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ACCELERATOR PTY LTD
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd.

/

〈 〉