Electrospun magnetic carbon nanofibers for electromagnetic wave absorption: A review

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.12.029

Abstract

Abstract: The escalation of communication technology intensifies GHz-range electromagnetic pollution, driving demand for high-performance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials. Electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are highly promising due to their low density, tunable conductivity, and the unique advantages of their one-dimensional fibrous architecture, which promotes efficient conductive pathways and interfacial polarization for enhanced electromagnetic energy dissipation. But they commonly suffer from impedance mismatch. Incorporating magnetic components effectively addresses this limitation, synergistically optimizing impedance and introducing magnetic loss. This review summarizes recent progress in electrospun magnetic CNFs for EMW absorption. Following an introduction to fundamental theory, we systematically categorize these materials based on composition and structure, analyzing their respective design principles, electromagnetic characteristics, absorption performance, merits, and challenges. Future prospects for advancing electrospun magnetic CNF absorbers are also discussed.

Key words: Electrospinninig, Magnetic carbon nanofibers, Electromagnetic wave absorption, Attenuation mechanism

Yang Yang, Jing Qiao, Xue Zhang, Bingke Zhang, Jiurong Liu. Electrospun magnetic carbon nanofibers for electromagnetic wave absorption: A review[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 265: 1-22.

References

[1] X. Zhou, P. Min, Y. Liu, M. Jin, Z.-Z. Yu, H.-B. Zhang, Science 385 (2024) 1205-1210.
[2] L. Zhou, P.F. Hu, M. Bai, N. Leng, B. Cai, H.L. Peng, P.Y. Zhao, Y.Q. Guo, M.K. He, G.S. Wang, J.W. Gu, Adv. Mater. 37(2025) 2418321.
[3] Y. Liu, J. Zhou, C. Li, H. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Yan, L. Duan, Z. Cheng, Y. Ma, Z. Yao, Nat. Commun. 16(2025) 202.
[4] S. Cheng, D. Sheng, S. Mukherjee, W. Dong, Y. Huang, R. Cao, A. Xie, R.A. Fischer, W. Li, Nat. Commun. 15(2024) 9077.
[5] B. Cai, L. Zhou, P. Zhao, H. Peng, Z. Hou, P. Hu, L. Liu, G. Wang, Nat. Commun. 15(2024) 3299.
[6] M. He, X. Zhong, X. Lu, J. Hu, K. Ruan, H. Guo, Y. Zhang, Y. Guo, J.W. Gu, Adv. Mater. 36(2024) 2410186.
[7] L. Liu, H. Deng, X. Tang, Y. Lu, J. Zhou, X. Wang, Y. Zhao, B. Huang, Y. Shi, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 118(2021) 2105838118.
[8] X. Zhong, M. He, C. Zhang, Y. Guo, J. Hu, J. Gu, Adv. Funct. Mater. 34(2024) 2313544.
[9] L. Wu, G. Wang, S. Shi, X. Liu, J. Liu, J. Zhao, G. Wang, Adv. Sci. 10(2023) 2304218.
[10] Y.H. Jin, J.H. Han, J. Park, M. Kim, S.H. Seok, Y. Chae, Y. Sim, S. Seo, H. Lee, J. Wang, J. Yang, S. Jang, J. Han, H.U. Yeo, S.H. Park, E. Choi, T. Kim, S.Y. Kwon, Infomat 7 (2025) e70034.
[11] T. Ma, Y. Zhang, K. Ruan, H. Guo, M. He, X. Shi, Y.Q. Guo, J. Kong, J. Gu, Infomat 6 (2024) e12568.
[12] A. Liu, X. Xu, H. Qiu, H. Guo, M. He, Z. Yu, Y. Zhang, J. Gu, Infomat 7 (2025) e70060.
[13] Y. Zhang, A. Liu, Y. Tian, Y. Tian, X. Qi, H. Qiu, M. He, K. Zhou, J. Gu, Adv. Mater. 37(2025) 2505521.
[14] A. Liu, H. Qiu, X. Lu, H. Guo, J. Hu, C. Liang, M. He, Z. Yu, Y. Zhang, J. Kong, J. Gu, Adv. Mater. 37(2025) 2414085.
[15] Y. Zhang, K. Ruan, K. Zhou, J. Gu, Adv. Mater. 35(2023) 2211642.
[16] M. Zhai, S. Zhao, H. Guo, X. Li, X. Shi, M. He, Y. Zhang, J. Gu, Sci. Bull. 70(2025) 2347-2364.
[17] B. Wang, W. Wei, F. Huang, F. Liu, S. Li, H. Zhang, Adv. Funct. Mater. 34(2024) 202404484.
[18] S. Xu, Z. Jia, D. Lan, Z. Gao, S. Zhang, G. Wu, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35(2025) 2500304.
[19] W. Yan, J. Hu, C. Yi, Q. Wang, J. Wang, W. Zhang, X. Huang, Y. Liu, X. Gao, H. Zeng, F. Yang, G. Tan, X. Chi, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35(2025) 2501645.
[20] Z. Zhao, Y. Qing, L. Kong, H. Xu, X. Fan, J. Yun, L. Zhang, H. Wu, Adv. Mater. 36(2024) 2304182.
[21] X. Wang, X. Chen, Q. He, Y. Hui, C. Xu, B. Wang, F. Shan, J. Zhang, J. Shao, Adv. Mater. 36(2024) 2401733.
[22] W. Huang, M. Song, S. Wang, B. Wang, J. Ma, T. Liu, Y. Zhang, Y. Kang, R. Che, Adv. Mater. 36(2024) 2403322.
[23] Y.-q. Guo, P.Li, R.-l. Zhao, J.-w. Gu, Acta Polym. Sin. 56(2025) 2315-2328.
[24] T. Xu, S. Tan, S. Li, Y. Zhao, T. Chen, Z. Yang, G. Ji, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35(2025) 2517713.
[25] Y. Xia, W. Gao, C. Gao, Adv. Funct. Mater. 32(2022) 202204591.
[26] Q. Li, Z. Zhang, L. Qi, Q. Liao, Z. Kang, Y. Zhang, Adv. Sci. 6(2019) 201801057.
[27] J. Guo, X. Li, Z. Chen, J. Zhu, X. Mai, R. Wei, K. Sun, H. Liu, Y. Chen, N. Naik, Z. Guo, J. Mater. Sci.Technol. 108(2022) 64-72.
[28] H. Li, A. Wu, Z. Qiu, J. Li, Z. Wu, Y. Ma, J. Wang, S. He, H. Huang, Chem. Eng. J. 476(2023) 146582.
[29] M. Huang, L. Wang, K. Pei, B. Li, W. You, L. Yang, G. Zhou, J. Zhang, C. Liang, R. Che, Adv. Funct. Mater. 34(2024) 2308898.
[30] Y. Qing, D. Min, Y. Zhou, F. Luo, W. Zhou, Carbon 86 (2015) 98-107.
[31] J. Qiao, X. Zhang, D. Xu, L. Kong, L. Lv, F. Yang, F. Wang, W. Liu, J. Liu, Chem. Eng. J. 380(2020) 122591.
[32] X. Zhang, S. Guo, G. Wei, H. Zhang, X. Hao, S. Tan, K. Liu, G. Ji, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 306(2025) 112798.
[33] L. Li, F. Pan, H. Guo, H. Jiang, X. Wang, K. Yao, Y. Yang, B. Yuan, I. Abdalla, R. Che, W. Lu, Small 20 (2024) 2402564.
[34] X. Cao, X. Wu, X. Wang, J. Luo, Z. Zhang, Y. Xue, G. Zhang, L. Zhang, H. Zhang, J. Yu, Adv. Sci. 12(2025) 2502560.
[35] X. Meng, M. Yu, C. Wang, Adv. Fiber Mater. 7(2024) 469-480.
[36] J. Xiang, J. Li, X. Zhang, Q. Ye, J. Xu, X. Shen, J. Mater. Chem. A 2 (2014) 16905-16914.
[37] B. Yang, J. Fang, C. Xu, H. Cao, R. Zhang, B. Zhao, M. Huang, X. Wang, H. Lv, R. Che, Nano-Micro Lett. 14(2022) 170.
[38] J.-H. He, Y.Liu, L. Xu, Mater. Sci. Technol. 26(2010) 1275-1287.
[39] C. Wang, M. Wang, Front. Mater. Sci. 8(2014) 3-19.
[40] M. Zhu, J. Han, F. Wang, W. Shao, R. Xiong, Q. Zhang, H. Pan, Y. Yang, S.K. Samal, F. Zhang, C. Huang, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 302(2017) 1600353.
[41] Y. Lu, X.D. Xiao, J. Fu, C. Huan, S. Qi, Y. Zhan, Y. Zhu, G. Xu, Chem. Eng. J. 355(2019) 532-539.
[42] B. Pant, M. Park, S.J. Park, Pharmaceutics 11 (2019) 305.
[43] M.S. Islam, B.C. Ang, A. Andriyana, A.M. Afifi, SN Appl. Sci. 1(2019) 1248.
[44] R.-X. Chen, Y.Li, J.-H. He, Therm. Sci. 18(2014) 1718-1719.
[45] B. Hao, Z. Chai, M. Li, J. Duan, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, C. Li, C. Gong, Soft Sci. 5(2025) 39.
[46] W. Wang, H. Qin, H. Li, D. Lan, Y. Wang, Y. Han, D. Liu, R. Liu, G. Wu, Sci. China Mater. 68(2025) 3757-3766.
[47] J. Liu, X. Han, W. Ren, L. Liang, X. Wang, D. Lan, M. Ma, S. Gao, Nanoscale 17 (2025) 18633-18645.
[48] S. Zhang, J. Zheng, X. Liang, D. Lan, L. Niu, X. Zhao, Z. Zhao, S. Zhang, G. Wu, X. Li, Small 21 (2025) e09237.
[49] Y. Wang, B. Suo, Y. Shi, H. Yuan, C. Zhu, Y. Chen, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 12 (2020) 40692-40701.
[50] X. Meng, S. Zhang, M. Yu, C. Wang, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 288(2025) 111922.
[51] H. Wang, F. Meng, J. Li, T. Li, Z. Chen, H. Luo, Z. Zhou, A.C.S.Sustain, Chem. Eng. 6(2018) 11801-11810.
[52] Z. Lei, S. Li, A. Zhang, Y. Song, N. He, M. Li, D. Geng, W. Liu, S. Ma, Z. Zhang, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 234(2022) 109692.
[53] J. Qi, C. Liang, K. Ruan, M. Li, H. Guo, M. He, H. Qiu, Y. Guo, J. Gu, Natl. Sci. Rev. 12 (2025) nwaf394.
[54] X. Meng, J. Qiao, S. Zheng, H. Tian, B. Li, J. Liu, L. Wu, Z. Wang, F. Wang, Chem. Eng. J. 457(2023) 141241.
[55] R. Guo, D. Su, F. Chen, Y. Cheng, X. Wang, R. Gong, H. Luo, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 14 (2022) 3084-3094.
[56] Y. Cheng, D. Lan, Z. Jia, Z. Gao, X. Liu, X. Shi, M. He, H. Guo, G. Wu, J. Mater. Sci.Tech. 216(2025) 150-164.
[57] L. Shao, X. Li, Y. Wang, G. Xia, F. Fan, C. Pei, G. Ji, Carbon 242 (2025) 120459.
[58] Z. Tong, Z. Liao, Y. Liu, M. Ma, Y. Bi, W. Huang, Y. Ma, M. Qiao, G. Wu, Carbon 179 (2021) 646-654.
[59] P. Yin, D. Lan, Z. Yuan, R. Wang, Y. Zhang, X. Sun, J. Alloy. Compd. 1037(2025) 182260.
[60] F. Wang, P. Xu, N. Shi, L. Cui, Y. Wang, D. Liu, H. Zhao, X. Han, Y. Du, J. Mater. Sci.Technol. 93(2021) 7-16.
[61] Y. Zhao, W. Wang, Q. Wang, H. Zhao, P. Li, J. Yan, G. Wang, W. Zhao, J. Yun, Z. Deng, Z. Zhang, Carbon 185 (2021) 514-525.
[62] J. Qiao, X. Zhang, C. Liu, Z. Zeng, Y. Yang, L. Wu, F. Wang, Z. Wang, W. Liu, J. Liu, Carbon 191 (2022) 525-534.
[63] J. Wang, X. Guo, D. Lan, Y. Wang, H. Huang, C. Zhang, G. Wu, S. Zhang, Z. Jia, Carbon 245 (2025) 120818.
[64] Y. Wang, X. Di, Y. Fu, X. Wu, J. Cao, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 587(2021) 561-573.
[65] D. Xu, J. Qiao, N. Wu, W. Liu, F. Wang, L. Lv, J. Pan, Y. Dong, J. Liu, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 7(2019) 8687-8695.
[66] H. Lv, X. Liang, G. Ji, H. Zhang, Y. Du, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7 (2015) 9776-9783.
[67] Y. Zhao, L. Liu, J. Han, W. Wu, G. Tong, J. Alloy. Compd. 728(2017) 100-111.
[68] X. Luo, H. Xie, Y. Ma, D. Lan, G. Wu, Z. Jia, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater. 32(2025) 112.
[69] J. Qiao, Q.H. Song, X. Zhang, S.Y. Zhao, J.R. Liu, G. Nyström, Z.H. Zeng, Adv. Sci. 11(2024) 2400403.
[70] R. Sun, H. Lv, G. Lian, L. Wang, M. Huang, W. You, R. Che, Soft Sci. 5(2025) 35.
[71] C. Liu, L. Zhu, S. Zheng, L. Xu, L. Yan, Y. Zhang, G. Ji, Acta Mater. 296(2025) 121255.
[72] Y. Li, Y. Lu, Z. Liu, D. Lei, M. Yang, D. Yang, Y. Jin, J. Liu, D. Lan, Rare Metals 44 (2025) 6531-6546.
[73] Q. Yu, H. Chen, P. Chen, Q. Wang, C. Lu, C. Jia, J. Mater. Sci.-Mater. Electron. 28(2017) 2769-2774.
[74] C. Sun, Y. Guo, X. Xu, Q. Du, H. Duan, Y. Chen, H. Li, H. Liu, Compos. Pt. A-Appl.Sci. Manuf. 92(2017) 33-41.
[75] I. Abdalla, J. Shen, J. Yu, Z. Li, B. Ding, Sci. Rep. 8(2018) 12402.
[76] Y. Huo, Y. Tan, F. Zhang, W. Cui, Y. Wang, Z. He, J. Alloy. Compd. 993(2024) 174676.
[77] J. Jiang, D. Lan, Y. Li, J. Yang, S. Deng, Q. He, Y. Wang, Ceram. Int. 50(2024) 38331-38341.
[78] J. Lv, X. Liang, G. Ji, B. Quan, W. Liu, Y. Du, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 6(2018) 7239-7249.
[79] Z. Guo, T. Shi, S. Yu, S. Xu, Z. Yu, Q. Liu, W. Peng, X. Dai, C. Li, J. Mater. Sci. 59(2024) 1380-1397.
[80] Y. Wang, C. Ye, N. Meng, Y. Liao, A.C.S.Appl, Nano Mater. 8(2025) 10623-10632.
[81] W. Liu, B. Zhang, X. Wen, L. Wang, M. Jin, H. Wu, S. Qin, X. Yang, Y. Liu, G. Yu, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 7(2024) 26706-26716.
[82] H. Liu, Y. Li, M. Yuan, G. Sun, H. Li, S. Ma, Q. Liao, Y. Zhang, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 10 (2018) 22591-22601.
[83] H. Liu, Y. Li, M. Yuan, G. Sun, Q. Liao, Y. Zhang, Sci. Rep. 8(2018) 16832.
[84] Y. Shen, F. Zhang, P. Song, Y. Zhang, T. Zhang, X. Wen, J. Ma, D. Zhang, X. Du, J. Alloy. Compd. 903(2022) 163971.
[85] F. Liang, L. Zou, C. Peng, Y. Zhuo, S. Shi, J. Chen, Carbon 238 (2025) 120271.
[86] C. Wang, L. Zong, Y. Pan, N. Li, Q. Liu, J. Wang, X. Jian, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 223(2021) 109114.
[87] H. Xu, B. Li, X. Jiang, Y. Shi, X. Zhang, C. Zhu, X. Zhang, Y. Chen, Carbon 201 (2023) 234-243.
[88] X.Y. Ren, D. Lan, Z.G. Gao, S.Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, M.K. He, Z.R. Jia, G.L. Wu, J. Mater. Sci.Technol. 255(2026) 236-258.
[89] J. Qiao, X. Zhang, C. Liu, L. Lyu, Z. Wang, L. Wu, W. Liu, F. Wang, J. Liu, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 200(2020) 108343.
[90] Y. Liu, Z. Zeng, S. Zheng, J. Qiao, W. Liu, L. Wu, J. Liu, Compos. Pt. B-Eng. 235(2022) 109800.
[91] Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, H. Liu, D. Li, Y. Wang, C. Xu, Y. Tian, H. Meng, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater. 31(2024) 2508-2517.
[92] Z. Liao, M. Ma, Z. Tong, Y. Bi, K.L. Chung, M. Qiao, Y. Ma, A. Ma, G. Wu, X. Zhong, R. Sun, Dalton Trans. 50(2021) 11640-11649.
[93] C. Jin, Z. Wu, R. Zhang, X. Qian, H. Xu, R. Che, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13 (2021) 15939-15949.
[94] S. Zhang, Z. Jia, Y. Zhang, G. Wu, Nano Res. 16(2023) 3395-3407.
[95] J. Chen, J. Zheng, F. Wang, Q. Huang, G. Ji, Carbon 174 (2021) 509-517.
[96] Y. Cheng, X. Liu, J. Ren, X. Xu, D. Lan, G. Wu, S. Zhang, Z. Gao, Z. Jia, G. Wu, Carbon 239 (2025) 120325.
[97] Z. Wang, Z. Jia, J. Ren, L. Wang, D. Lan, S. Zhang, X. Shi, X. Liu, Z. Gao, G. Wu, J. Mater. Sci.Tech. 235(2025) 81-90.
[98] X.-Z. Tang, Z.Liao, H. Shi, R. Wang, J. Yue, X. Chen, Compos. Pt. A-Appl. Sci. Manuf. 163(2022) 107169.
[99] D. Huang, X. Zhang, J. Dai, Z. Yuan, Colloid Surf. A 707 (2025) 135910.
[100] B. Wen, Z. Zhou, S. Wang, H. Zhao, G. Yang, J. Wang, J. Niu, Y. Miao, Z. Zhang, W. Yan, S. Ding, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 6(2023) 5404-5413.
[101] Y. Bi, M. Ma, Z. Jiao, Y. Ma, D. Hou, G. Geng, W. Feng, A. Ma, M. Qiao, Y. Liu, Carbon 197 (2022) 152-162.
[102] L. Xing, H. Cheng, Y. Li, Q. Chen, C. Liu, C. Shen, X. Liu, Small 21 (2025) 2407337.