Mechanisms, design, and fabrication strategies for emerging electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials

The rapid development of intelligent devices imposes new demands on electromagnetic wave (EMW)-absorbing materials, especially concerning wide-spectrum absorption, frequency band manipulation, and multifunctional integration. However, conventional investigations of EMW-absorbing materials face several challenges that collectively limit the effectiveness of existing materials amid growing demands, including ambiguous electromagnetic (EM) loss mechanisms, impedance mismatches, and deficiencies in integrated design. This review elucidates new EM loss mechanisms, delineates key bridge mechanisms linking microscopic and macroscopic factors, and proposes dielectric polarization models to clarify EM loss mechanisms. Additionally, it delves into the unique advantages of core-shell structures and porous structures in impedance optimization. Finally, it introduces fabrication approaches to integrate EMW-absorbing materials, detailing the design strategies and exploring potential applications. By consolidating these cutting-edge achievements, this review aims to guide the scientific advancement of EMW-absorbing materials.