The understanding
of the structure–activity relationship
can help us design desired functional materials. SiO<sub>2</sub> shell
is widely used as a physicochemical inert layer to protect materials
from corrosion or oxidization. But, in electromagnetic (EM) absorption
studies, silica shell, supposed to be EM transparent, has been found
to significantly influence the EM absorption performance. Here, we
studied the microstructure, EM parameters, and electronic structure
of silica shell coated SiC/Co (SiC/Co@SiO<sub>2</sub>) nanowires to
figure out the nature of silica shell influencing on their EM absorption.
X-ray absorption near-edge structures on Co L<sub>3,2</sub>-edge and
O K-edge analysis confirm that silica links with Co by Si–O–Co
bonds. Electron transfer takes place between silica and Co, which
leads to formation of gradient ε field within silica and more
incident EM wave entering into the absorbers. Generating significant
interfacial polarization, the silica shell improves the EM absorption
performance. The present research offers a novel insight on the functional
role of silica shell
