# Cactus-like architecture for synergistic microwave absorption and thermal management

“Cactus-like architecture for synergistic microwave absorption and thermal management” (2025), by Jiamin Qi et al. Materials Science research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. No free PDF was found.

- Authors: Jiamin Qi, Chaobo Liang, Kunpeng Ruan, Mukun Li, Hua Guo, Mukun He, Hua Yu Qiu, Yongqiang Guo, Junwei Gu
- Published: September 16, 2025
- Field: Materials Science
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf394
- Source: https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf394

## Abstract

As electronic devices evolve toward miniaturization, integration and diversification, developing composites with thermal management and broadband microwave absorption has become critical for addressing electromagnetic compatibility and heat-dissipation challenges. Inspired by the multilevel thorny structure of a cactus, this study proposes a biomimetic 3D network structure via a ‘direction-decoupling’ design to enhance thermal conductivity and microwave absorption. Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) form horizontal thermal pathways, while cobalt-catalysed nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube arrays (Co@NCNTs) are vertically grown in the interlayer for cactus-like heterostructure fillers. Finally, composites are obtained by combining the solid–solid phase-change polyethylene glycol matrix with the directional assembly process. At a mass fraction of 30 wt% for (Co@NCNTs)@BNNS, the composites exhibit the best microwave absorption and thermal conductivity at a thickness of 2.5 mm. The maximum effective absorption bandwidth reaches 6.72 GHz, with in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity coefficients reaching 2.55 and 0.94 W·m–1·K–1, realizing simultaneous improvements in thermal conductivity and microwave-absorption performance. Moreover, density functional theory analysis confirms the interfacial bonding between Co@NCNTs and BNNS systems and verifies the advantages of a unique electronic structure for microwave absorption between Co- and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. This study provides new strategies for integrated thermal–electromagnetic management materials in next-generation high-density electronics.

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