Advanced bifunctional bionic neural network-like architecture constructed by multi-scale carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Accompanied with challenging to develop bifunctional electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers to enhance the environmental adaptability and survivability of electromagnetic devices in harsh environment, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical bionic neural network-like architectures decorated multi-scale Ni 3 Fe@N-doped carbon nanotube composites (Ni 3 Fe@NCNT@CF) were innovatively designed and constructed to realize the integration of microwave absorption and corrosion protection. The optimal Ni 3 Fe@NCNT@CF demonstrates competitive EMW absorption with a minimum reflection loss of −51.5 dB and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.4 GHz at 10 wt%, due to superior interlinked conductive channels (with dominant and adjustable conduction loss) and magnetic-dielectric matching of the 3D hierarchical bionic neural network. A reliable anti-corrosion performance is further exhibited to show ultra-low corrosion current density ~10 -8 A·cm -2 after 30 days of immersion in corrosive medium, owing to the physical shield provided by the impermeable and inert CNT shells. Our findings may provide design inspiration of versatile EMW materials for applications in complicated environments.