Microwave absorption properties of porous activated carbon/nickel oxide composites derived from coconut husks

Mohamad Zul Aqiman  SHUKERI; Nor Zakiah YAHAYA; Ezzan Afifah ZAINUDDIN; Nazri MAHMUD; Liyana  ZAHID; Hasliza  A RAHIM

doi:10.55713/jmmm.v35i3.2336

Authors

Mohamad Zul Aqiman SHUKERI Physics Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia
Nor Zakiah YAHAYA Physics Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
Ezzan Afifah ZAINUDDIN Physics Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia
Nazri MAHMUD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Seberang Perai Selatan, Nibong Tebal, Penang 14300 Malaysia
Liyana ZAHID Centre of Excellence for Advanced Communication Engineering (ACE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
Hasliza A RAHIM Centre of Excellence for Advanced Communication Engineering (ACE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia; Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v35i3.2336

Keywords:

Activated carbon, Coconut husk, MW absorber, Porous structure, Polymer composite

Abstract

Porous Activated Carbon (AC) is a promising material for microwave absorbing materials, showing potential in communication and modern warfare. The study explores the process of creating porous AC from coconut husks using hydrochloric acid and carbonization at varying temperatures, followed by doping AC with nickel oxide to create an AC/NiO polymer composite with varying thicknesses. These composites are compared to AC composites loaded in a paraffin matrix. The dielectric and microwave (MW) properties of the AC/NiO and AC polymer composites at various thicknesses were analyzed using a Performance (PNA)-X Network Analyzer. The study also examines the carbon content and porosity effect of the samples using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The results show that the pore sizes and surface areas of the AC/NiO composites are larger than those of the AC composites. The presence of NiO enhances the dielectric and MW properties of the samples. AC and AC/NiO materials exhibit exceptional absorption more than 96%. However, AC/NiO composite carbonized at 350℃ with a thickness of 6.0 mm exhibits excellent MW absorption performance, with a minimum RL peak value of –15 dB at 6.4 GHz. Overall, this study demonstrates the great potential of a polymer composite made from coconut husk-derived AC and NiO for MW absorption.

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