Multifunctional electromagnetic wave absorbing materials: research progress from component structural design to intelligent integration

Amid the rapid development of 5G/6G communications, intelligent stealth technology, and flexible electronics, electromagnetic wave absorbing materials (EMWAMs) are advancing from the optimization of a single performance aspect toward multifunctional integration. The monofunctional nature of conventional absorbing materials has proven inadequate to satisfy the requirements of complex application scenarios. These scenarios involve intricate electromagnetic environments and harsh operational conditions, where multifunctional capabilities are increasingly necessary. Moreover, the research on multifunctional integrated microwave absorbing materials is relatively scattered, lacking a systematic regulatory framework from the atomic scale to the macroscopic structure. Starting from the “functional integration dimension,” this review systematically organizes and constructs an analytical framework based on the trinity of “material component optimization, cross-scale structural design, and multifunctional integration.” On this basis, this review systematically explores the design principles and performance synergy mechanisms of six major categories of multifunctional electromagnetic wave absorbing materials (MEMWAMs): high mechanical properties, thermal stability, chemical stability, multispectral compatibility, flexible biocompatibility, and intelligent response. The review aims to summarize existing design principles and envision the development path of “on-demand design” for the next generation of MEMWAMs, characterized by synergistic dielectric/magnetic loss, enhanced environmental robustness, and integrated intelligent response.