Electron Switch With Tunable Absorption Across Electromagnetic Frequency Bands Controlled by Schottky Barrier

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Authors: Zhenyu Cheng, Rong Liu, Yijie Liu, Yong Yan, Jiaqi Tao, Junru Yao, Shuang Chen, Lvtong Duan, Wei Bo, Qing Ma, Weize Wang, Xu Li
+7 more Wenjian Zheng, Yuxian An, Zhengjun Yao, Yuting Shi, Tianjing Huang, Qiqi Teng, Jie Zhou
Cited by: 5
References: 53

Abstract

ABSTRACT Traditional electromagnetic wave absorbing materials have achieved significant progress in efficiently mitigating electromagnetic pollution and expanding absorption bandwidth through macroscopic composite and morphological design. However, the decisive role of microscopic heterojunctions in charge transport and polarization behavior remains unclear, hindering active manipulation of absorption bands via interface design. This study modulates the band structure of SiC/Cu via W/Ni doping to regulate the Schottky barrier at the interface. Ni doping lowers the work function, reducing the barrier and opening the electron gate to promote charge migration. In contrast, W doping raises the work function, increasing the barrier and confining interfacial charge. Combined experiments and DFT calculations show that a low barrier enhances conductive loss in the C‐band. Sample CNi‐2 achieves a 5.9 GHz absorption bandwidth at 5.9 mm, with full absorption from 3.6 to 5.9 GHz. A high barrier strengthens interfacial polarization, boosting Ku‐band absorption. CW‐3 reaches 6.5 GHz at 2.2 mm, covering 93% of the Ku band. Undoped SiC/Cu exhibits competing loss mechanisms, absorbing mainly in the X‐band. This work offers a band‐engineering strategy for designing tunable, high‐performance absorbers, with promising applications in electromagnetic protection and stealth technology.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electromagnetic wave absorption materials Advanced Antenna and Metasurface Technologies MXene and MAX Phase Materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
36
Issue
40
Publication date
18 March 2026
Language
EN