Magnetic composites: A comprehensive review of microwave absorption and shielding properties

The widespread use of electronic devices has led to a surge in electromagnetic (EM) radiation, raising concerns about its potential impact on human health and the performance of sensitive electronic systems. Prolonged exposure to EM waves may pose biological risks by interacting with cellular structures and potentially affecting genetic material. The development of efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and microwave absorption (MA) materials is receiving heightened attention among the research community. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in materials for EMI/MA applications, focusing on ferrite-based composites such as polymer–ferrite, MXene–ferrite rubber–ferrite, cement–ferrite, and textile–ferrite systems, each offering unique advantages in terms of flexibility, mechanical strength, structural integration, and wearability. These materials exhibit diverse attenuation mechanisms, including dielectric loss, magnetic loss, interfacial polarization, and impedance matching, contributing to effective EM wave suppression. Despite notable progress, challenges such as nanoparticle dispersion, environmental stability, and frequency-selective performance remain. The review also highlights emerging strategies like hybridization with 2D materials, defect modulation, and sustainable processing techniques to enhance shielding efficiency. Overall, ferrite-based composites represent a promising class of multifunctional materials that meet the growing demands of next-generation electronics, wearable technologies, and smart infrastructure.