Simultaneous modulation of vacancy and heterointerface of double-matrix phosphorus doped NiSe2/CoSe2 composite for “dual-core-driven” electromagnetic wave absorption
image: This work proposes a phosphorus-doping strategy coupled with vacancy modulation and interface optimization engineering. Using a classical Ni/Co bimetallic MOF as the precursor template, authors synthesized P-NiSe2/CoSe2@NC (PNCS) composites. By tuning doping concentration and reaction temperature, we stabilized the bimetallic selenide hetero-interface while introducing abundant oxygen vacancies, which further strengthened defect and dipole polarization contributions to EMW absorption. Benefiting from the “dual-core-driven” attenuation mechanism, the absorber achieved a EABmax of 7.04 GHz at a matching thickness of 2.1 mm, and a RLmin of -56.34 dB at 2.2 mm. The efficient synergy between dielectric relaxation and polarization provides valuable guidance for designing and developing high performance EMW absorption materials.
Credit: Qingdao University, Yuhao Dong
In recent years, the rapid advancement of 5G communication technology and the widespread proliferation of various electronic and electrical devices have led to increasingly severe electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution, posing potential threats to environmental safety and human health. Consequently, the development of high-performance EMW absorbing materials has become an urgent priority.
Metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon materials are promising for high-performance EMW absorbers due to their unique microstructures and synergistic effects, however single-component MOFs fail to meet current application demands. In this context, transition metal selenides offer enhanced conductivity and superior EMW loss and attenuation. Furthermore, defect engineering, particularly anion vacancy regulation induced by elemental doping, can effectively improve the intrinsic conductivity and polarization loss of the material, thus boosting its EMW absorption performance. Therefore, synchronous engineering of defects and heterointerfaces represents an effective strategy for advanced EMW absorbers.
To further extend this novel research approach, the Qingdao University’s team designed a phosphorus-doped selenide vacancy modulation and phase interface optimization strategy. A series of doping gradients were prepared to synthesize P-NiSe2/CoSe2@NC (PNCS) composites, using Ni-Co-MOF-74 as a precursor and NaH2PO2·H2O as a phosphorus source to induce oxygen vacancies. Analysis of the EMW attenuation mechanisms of the samples was conducted to elucidate the optimization pathways in the synthesis protocols. The establishment of optimal mass ratios and temperature preferences during the preparation process is conducive to the industrialization of EMW absorbers.
“Phosphorus doping induces lattice stress, promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, and leads to charge rearrangement at heterogeneous interfaces. The resulting local charge imbalance enhances interfacial and dipole polarization, thereby significantly boosting dielectric loss.” Associate Professor Zirui Jia explained, “The efficient integration of multiple mechanisms exerts a positive feedback effect on EMW loss and attenuation.”
Through continuous optimization of doping concentration and thermal conditions, PNCS achieves a synergistic balance between defects and heterointerfaces, thereby attaining superior EMW absorption performance. At a matching thickness of only 2.1 mm, an effective absorption bandwidth of 7.04 GHz is attained, and the entire X-band and Ku-band can be covered within a controllable thickness of 2.6 mm, showing significantly enhanced performance compared to analogous samples. The “dual-core driven” strategy, combining oxygen vacancies and selenide heterointerfaces, optimizes dielectric relaxation and polarization loss, offering new insights for the development and application of next generation high-efficiency EMW absorbing materials.
These findings have been published in Nano Research on May 22, 2026.
“RCS simulations and DFT calculations have refined the theoretical foundation of this study. Benefiting from the porous microstructure, abundant heterointerfaces, appropriate defect polarization, and excellent impedance matching of PNCS, this work can be extended to various application scenarios in the field of EMW absorption.” Professor Guanglei Wu concluded.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52377026 and No. 52301192), Taishan Scholars and Young Experts Program of Shandong Province (No. tsqn202103057), Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. ZR2024ME046 and No. ZR2024QE313), Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF (No. GZB20240327), Shandong Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. SDCX-ZG-202400275), Qingdao Postdoctoral Application Research Project (No. QDBSH20240102023) and the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (No. 2024M751563 and No. 2024M761554).
DOI Link:
https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2026.94908868
About Nano Research
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, open access, international and interdisciplinary research journal, sponsored by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Chemical Society, published by Tsinghua University Press on the platform SciOpen. It publishes original high-quality research and significant review articles on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from basic aspects of the science of nanoscale materials to practical applications of such materials. After 18 years of development, it has become one of the most influential academic journals in the nano field. Nano Research has published more than 1,000 papers every year from 2022, with its cumulative count surpassing 8,000 articles. In 2025 InCites Journal Citation Reports, its 2025 IF is 9.4 (8.3, 5 years), and it continues to be the Q1 area among the four subject classifications. Nano Research Award, established by Nano Research together with TUP and Springer Nature in 2013, and Nano Research Young Innovators (NR45) Awards, established by Nano Research in 2018, have become international academic awards with global influence.