Engineering Broadband Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers: Innovations in Carbon-Based Composites, Magnetic Alloys, and Impedance Matching

Abstract The rapid advancement in electronic and communication technologies has improved connectivity but increased electromagnetic wave pollution, posing health risks and disrupting systems. Lightweight, thin microwave-absorbing materials with broad frequency absorption are essential for mitigating electromagnetic interference. This review highlights advanced composites, magnetic alloys, and carbon-based materials like carbonized melamine foam (CMF), a porous structure promising for dielectric absorption, though limited by high conductivity. Combining CMF with insulating layers and magnetic coatings such as FeNi and SiO2 enhances absorption by optimizing impedance matching. Magnetic alloys and dielectric coatings applied via magnetron sputtering improve absorption by balancing permeability and permittivity, critical for high efficiency in the X- and Ku-bands. The study explores FeCo-coated carbon nanofibers and SiC fibers, revealing how microstructural properties influence performance. This comprehensive analysis aids the design of stable, efficient electromagnetic absorbers for broad-spectrum applications.