Synergetic dielectric loss and magnetic loss towards superior microwave absorption through hybridization of few-layer WS₂ nanosheets with NiO nanoparticles

WS₂ nanomaterials have attracted great attention in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption due to their high specific surface area, layered structure, and peculiar electronic properties. However, further improvements on their limited electromagnetic absorbing (EMA) capacity and bandwidth are urgently required for their practical application as EMA absorbents. In this work, WS₂/NiO hybrids with heterostructures are prepared by a hydrothermal method and developed into EMA absorbents. The maximum reflection loss of the hybrids with 20% NiO loading could reach −53.31 dB at a thickness of 4.30 mm; the bandwidth with a reflection loss value of less than −10 dB is determined to be 13.46 GHz (4.54–18 GHz) when the thickness of the absorbent is between 3.5 and 5.5 mm. It is found that the enhanced EMA performance of WS₂/NiO hybrids is caused by the addition of magnetic NiO, which could result in the interfaces between WS₂ and NiO being responsible for the synergetic magnetic loss and dielectric loss in the hybrids. This work provides a new approach for the design of excellent EMA materials for practical applications.