J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2026, Vol. 268: 114-123.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.12.032

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Phase-transition-mediated dual-path optimization in SiCnws@TiO2 aerogels for synergistic microwave absorption and thermal insulation

Hanjun Weia,*, Yuxiang Laia, Siyu Chena, Zhiyong Chena, Lu Tanga, Jimei Xueb, Zhijun Wanga, Ying Lic,*, Cunxian Wangd,*   

  1. aInstitute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China;
    bScience and Technology on Thermostructural Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China;
    cSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China;
    dSchool of Aeronautics, Institute of Extreme Mechanics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
  • Received:2025-10-29 Revised:2025-12-10 Accepted:2025-12-12 Online:2025-12-23
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses:weihanjun@cdu.edu.cn(H. Wei), liying@cdu.edu.cn(Y. Li), wangcunxian@nwpu.edu.cn(C. Wang)

Abstract: The development of multifunctional materials capable of simultaneously mitigating electromagnetic (EM) wave and thermal detection threats requires overcoming the intrinsic trade-off between loss capability and impedance matching. Herein, a decoupled dual-path reinforcement strategy is proposed via precise crystalline phase manipulation to construct a SiCnws@TiO2 aerogel with a biomimetic wintersweet-flower-like porous three-dimensional (3D) network. This strategy independently modulates two distinct loss pathways: a rutile-phase-dominated conductive network that strengthens conduction loss and abundant anatase/rutile heterointerfaces coupled with oxygenâ€'vacancy defects that intensify polarization loss. Rather than maximizing a single mechanism, the SiCnws@TiO2 aerogel annealed at 800 °C (TS-3) achieves optimal EM absorption by striking a balanced synergy between the two paths, resulting in excellent impedance matching and enhanced attenuation. Consequently, the optimized aerogel delivers a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of âˆ'49.7 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.8 GHz at a thickness of 2.9 mm. Moreover, the 3D network provides outstanding thermal insulation, with the surface temperature stabilizing at only 42.2 °C under a heating source of 157.5 °C, demonstrating strong potential for infrared stealth. This work establishes a design paradigm for multifunctional stealth materials, showing how a unified nanoarchitecture can concurrently satisfy the conflicting requirements of thermal management and EM wave manipulation in complex operational environments.

Key words: SiCnws@TiO2 aerogel, Biomimetic wintersweet-flower-like 3D network structure, Dual-path reinforcement strategy, Multifunctional