Design of Gel-Based Materials for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, there is a shift of research and development in electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials toward exploiting the unique structure and composition of gel-based based materials to manipulate EMWs. In this article, it will review the research and development by focusing on applications of various gels for EMW absorption, including aerogels, hydrogels, xerogels, organic gels, as well as ionogels. This study highlights some of the new mechanistic insights and design strategies for dielectric loss, magnetic loss, and electro-magnetic loss gel-based absorbers. For an in-depth understanding of the new insights into these recent research areas, it will discuss the historic perspectives for the development of gel-based materials for EMW absorption. Especially, it will emphasizes the unique advantages and multifunctional applications of gel-based absorbers. Finally, pending current challenges and prospects toward the structure design and performance tuning of gel-based absorber are presented.