[National Science Review] Cactus-like Architecture for Synergistic Microwave Absorption and Thermal Management
writer：Jiamin Qi, Chaobo Liang*, Kunpeng Ruan, Mukun Li, Hua Guo, Mukun He, Hua Qiu, Yongqiang Guo, Junwei Gu*
keywords：cactus-like heterogeneous structure, multifunctional composites, integrated thermal-electromagnetic management, thermal conductivity, microwave absorption
source：期刊
Issue time：2025年
Jiamin Qi, Chaobo Liang*, Kunpeng Ruan, Mukun Li, Hua Guo, Mukun He, Hua Qiu, Yongqiang Guo, Junwei Gu*. Cactus-like Architecture for Synergistic Microwave Absorption and Thermal Management. National Science Review, 2025, doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf394. 2024IF=17.1（1区综合类Top期刊，中国科技期刊卓越行动计划-领军类期刊项目）
https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf394
Abstract
As electronic devices evolve toward miniaturization, integration, and diversification, developing composites with thermal management and broadband microwave absorption has become critical for addressing electromagnetic compatibility and heat dissipation challenges. Inspired by the multi-level thorny structure of cactus, this study proposes a biomimetic 3D network structure via "direction-decoupling" design to enhance thermal conductivity and microwave absorption. Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) form horizontal thermal pathways, while cobalt-catalyzed nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube arrays (Co@NCNTs) are vertically grown in the interlayer for cactus-like heterostructure fillers. Finally, composites are obtained by combining the solid-solid phase change polyethylene glycol (ScPEG) matrix with the directional assembly process. At a mass fraction of 30 wt% for (Co@NCNTs)@BNNS, the composites exhibit the best microwave absorption and thermal conductivity at a thickness of 2.5 mm. The maximum effective absorption bandwidth reaches 6.72 GHz, with in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity coefficients reaching 2.55 W·m-1·K-1 and 0.94 W·m-1·K-1, realizing simultaneous improvement of thermal conductivity and microwave absorption performance. Moreover, Density functional theory analysis confirms the interfacial bonding between Co@NCNTs and BNNS systems and verifies the advantages of unique electronic structure for microwave absorption between the Co and NCNTs. This study provides new strategies for integrated thermal-electromagnetic management materials in next-generation high-density electronics.
随着电子电气设备向结构小型化、模块集成化和功能多元化方向发展，开发兼具高效热管理和宽频吸波性能的复合材料已成为解决电子元器件电磁兼容与散热问题协同优化的关键。受仙人掌多级刺状表面结构启发，本研究提出构建一种仿生三维网络结构，通过“方向-解耦”设计实现导热和吸波性能的协同管理。以BNNS构筑水平取向导热通路，并在其层间垂直定向生长钴催化氮掺杂碳纳米管阵列制备仿仙人掌状异质结构填料（(Co@NCNTs)@BNNS）。最后，通过定向组装工艺与固-固相变聚乙二醇（ScPEG）高分子基体复合得到导热吸波双功能复合材料。结果表明，当(Co@NCNTs)@BNNS的质量分数为30 wt%时，复合材料在2.5 mm的厚度下表现出最佳的吸波和导热性能，最大有效吸收带宽（EABmax）达到6.72 GHz，面内（λ∥）和面间（λ⊥）导热系数分别达到2.55 W·m-1·K-1和0.94 W·m-1·K-1，实现了导热与吸波性能的同步提升。此外，采用密度泛函理论（DFT）分析证明了Co@NCNTs与BNNS体系的界面键合本质，并验证了Co@NCNTs间独特的电子结构对电磁波吸收的优势。本研究为下一代高集成度电子设备中热-电磁协同管理材料的设计提供了新的思路与策略。