Transparent metasurface absorber with wide-angle stability via gradient AgNWs/PDMS heterostructure.

Abstract

The rapid advancement of high-frequency and transparent electronic devices necessitates the concurrent optimization of electromagnetic loss and mechanical reliability in wave-absorbing materials. Aiming to resolve interfacial stress defects inherent in conventional multilayer absorbers, this study introduces an AgNWs/PDMS composite metastructure. By integrating gradient interlayer impedance matching with honeycomb-nested metastructures, the system achieves synergistic broadband absorption (>90% across 4.3-18 GHz for the TE mode, 3.9-18 GHz for the TM mode) and high transparency (80% visible transmittance). The gradient stress distribution strategy can improve mechanical durability, with an average absorption rate remaining above 80% after 1350 bending cycles. Subwavelength thickness (5.2 mm/0.067λ_L) and geometric anisotropy ensure angular stability, maintaining >80% absorption at an incident angle of 60°. This integrated design establishes an intelligent EM shielding paradigm, promising for 6G communications, aerospace, and beyond.