Zhiyu Huang

Bio: Zhiyu Huang is an academic researcher from Nankai University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Graphene & Terahertz radiation. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 13 publications receiving 1956 citations.

Broadband and Tunable High‐Performance Microwave Absorption of an Ultralight and Highly Compressible Graphene Foam

Abstract: The broadband and tunable high-performance microwave absorption properties of an ultralight and highly compressible graphene foam (GF) are investigated. Simply via physical compression, the microwave absorption performance can be tuned. The qualified bandwidth coverage of 93.8% (60.5 GHz/64.5 GHz) is achieved for the GF under 90% compressive strain (1.0 mm thickness). This mainly because of the 3D conductive network.

Ultra-Broadband Wide-Angle Terahertz Absorption Properties of 3D Graphene Foam

Abstract: As a next generation of detection technology, terahertz technology is very promising. In this work, a highly efficient terahertz wave absorber based on 3D graphene foam (3DG) is first reported. Excellent terahertz absorption property at frequency ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 THz is obtained owing to faint surface reflection and enormous internal absorption. By precise control of the constant properties for 3DG, the reflection loss (RL) value of 19 dB is acquired and the qualified frequency bandwidth (with RL value over 10 dB) covers 95% of the entire measured bandwidth at normal incidence, which far surpasses most reported materials. More importantly, the terahertz absorption performance of 3DG enhances obviously with increasing the incidence while majority of materials become invalid at oblique incidence, instead. At the incidence of 45°, the maximum RL value increases 50% from 19 to 28.6 dB and the qualified frequency bandwidth covers 100% of the measured bandwidth. After considering all core indicators involving density, qualified bandwidth, and RL values, the specific average terahertz absorption (SATA) property is investigated. The SATA value of 3DG is over 3000 times higher than those of other materials in open literatures.

Electromagnetic interference shielding with 2D transition metal carbides (MXenes)

Abstract: Materials with good flexibility and high conductivity that can provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding with minimal thickness are highly desirable, especially if they can be easily processed into films. Two-dimensional metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, combine metallic conductivity and hydrophilic surfaces. Here, we demonstrate the potential of several MXenes and their polymer composites for EMI shielding. A 45-micrometer-thick Ti3C2Tx film exhibited EMI shielding effectiveness of 92 decibels (>50 decibels for a 2.5-micrometer film), which is the highest among synthetic materials of comparable thickness produced to date. This performance originates from the excellent electrical conductivity of Ti3C2Tx films (4600 Siemens per centimeter) and multiple internal reflections from Ti3C2Tx flakes in free-standing films. The mechanical flexibility and easy coating capability offered by MXenes and their composites enable them to shield surfaces of any shape while providing high EMI shielding efficiency.

Hydrophobic, Flexible, and Lightweight MXene Foams for High-Performance Electromagnetic-Interference Shielding

Abstract: Ultrathin, lightweight, and flexible electromagnetic-interference (EMI) shielding materials are urgently required to manage increasingly serious radiation pollution. 2D transition-metal carbides (MXenes) are considered promising alternatives to graphene for providing excellent EMI-shielding performance due to their outstanding metallic electrical conductivity. However, the hydrophilicity of MXene films may affect their stability and reliability when applied in moist or wet environments. Herein, for the first time, an efficient and facile approach is reported to fabricate freestanding, flexible, and hydrophobic MXene foam with reasonable strength by assembling MXene sheets into films followed by a hydrazine-induced foaming process. In striking contrast to well-known hydrophilic MXene materials, the MXene foams surprisingly exhibit hydrophobic surfaces and outstanding water resistance and durability. More interestingly, a much enhanced EMI-shielding effectiveness of ≈70 dB is achieved for the lightweight MXene foam as compared to its unfoamed film counterpart (53 dB) due to the highly efficient wave attenuation in the favorable porous structure. Therefore, the hydrophobic, flexible, and lightweight MXene foam with an excellent EMI-shielding performance is highly promising for applications in aerospace and portable and wearable smart electronics.

Thermally Driven Transport and Relaxation Switching Self-Powered Electromagnetic Energy Conversion.

Abstract: Electromagnetic energy radiation is becoming a "health-killer" of living bodies, especially around industrial transformer substation and electricity pylon. Harvesting, converting, and storing waste energy for recycling are considered the ideal ways to control electromagnetic radiation. However, heat-generation and temperature-rising with performance degradation remain big problems. Herein, graphene-silica xerogel is dissected hierarchically from functions to "genes," thermally driven relaxation and charge transport, experimentally and theoretically, demonstrating a competitive synergy on energy conversion. A generic approach of "material genes sequencing" is proposed, tactfully transforming the negative effects of heat energy to superiority for switching self-powered and self-circulated electromagnetic devices, beneficial for waste energy harvesting, conversion, and storage. Graphene networks with "well-sequencing genes" (w = Pc /Pp > 0.2) can serve as nanogenerators, thermally promoting electromagnetic wave absorption by 250%, with broadened bandwidth covering the whole investigated frequency. This finding of nonionic energy conversion opens up an unexpected horizon for converting, storing, and reusing waste electromagnetic energy, providing the most promising way for governing electromagnetic pollution with self-powered and self-circulated electromagnetic devices.