Optimizing microwave properties of activated carbon fiber–polyurethane composite planar structures
A simple solution-casting method was developed for the fabrication of flexible activated carbon fiber–polyurethane (CF–PU) composite films, which exhibited efficient microwave attenuation in the X-band (8–12 GHz). Their electromagnetic performance was governed primarily by the hierarchical porous structure of CFs, conductive pathway formation, interfacial polarization, and multiple internal scattering. Increasing CF loading enhanced shielding effectiveness, whereas intermediate CF loadings improved impedance matching and reduced reflection. Analysis of the shielding effectiveness components showed that absorption dominated over reflection (SEA > SER). The developed lightweight composites provide tunable electromagnetic performance and are promising candidates for electromagnetic interference shielding and microwave absorption applications.
Authors
- Liudmyla M. Grishchenko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0342-4859)
- Vitaliy E. Diyuk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5183-5444)
- Olga Yu. Boldyrieva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-3073)
- Hryhorii L. Chumak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2070-9709)
- Maksym A. Popov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3509-7108)
- Vladyslav V. Lisnyak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6820-1445)
- Vladyslav A. Moiseienko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7881-4336)
- Volodymyr Demchenko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4211-356X)
- Viktoriia D. Malovychko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5023-5153)
Institutions
- National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (UA)
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (UA)
- Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry (UA)
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (UA)
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (UA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
- Published
- 2026-08-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/15421406.2026.2720181
- Primary Topic
- Electromagnetic wave absorption materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Research Foundation of Ukraine