Review: Recent process in the design of carbon-based nanostructures with optimized electromagnetic properties

Electromagnetic interference problems have become an increasing issue with the rapid development of wireless information technologies at high frequency ranges, and this has attracted global attention. The key solution to this challenge is to develop materials that can absorb electromagnetic waves. The desired properties of absorbing materials include high reflection loss value, wide attenuation band, low cost, and being lightweight. This review gives a brief introduction on carbon-based nanocomposites and their electromagnetic absorption properties. The ultimate goal of these carbon absorbers is to achieve a broader effective absorption frequency bandwidth at a thin coating thickness. Representative and popular composite designs and electromagnetic energy attenuation mechanism are summarized, while the impedance matching property and the attenuation ability, which determine the electromagnetic behavior of carbon-based nanomaterials are reviewed in this document. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.