Harnessing Carbon-Containing Materials for Next-Generation High-Temperature Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers

The demand for high-temperature electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) materials has significantly increased alongside advancements in aerospace and communication technologies. Although traditional magnetic absorbers, such as ferrites and metal powders, show excellent magnetic loss performance at room temperature, they have significant limitations in harsh environments due to their high density, low Curie temperature, and susceptibility to oxidation. In contrast, carbon-containing materials have emerged as promising candidates for high-temperature EWA applications, owing to their high melting point, low density, tunable dielectric loss mechanisms, and superior thermal stability. Unlike magnetic materials, carbon-based systems primarily dissipate electromagnetic energy through conductance loss, dipole polarization, and interfacial polarization, thereby avoiding performance degradation at elevated temperatures. However, several critical challenges remain, including insufficient oxidation resistance, mechanical reliability issues, and the need for stable impedance matching. To address these limitations, recent strategies such as defect engineering, heterointerface construction, and metamaterial design have been proposed to enhance thermal stability and functional performance. This review provides a systematic summary of recent advances in carbon-containing absorbers, with a focus on dielectric loss mechanisms, optimization strategies, and multiscale structural design principles. By elucidating the structure–property relationships of carbon materials, carbide ceramics, and novel carbon hybrids, this study aims to offer theoretical and technical guidance for the development of advanced high-temperature electromagnetic wave absorbers, thereby promoting their practical applications in aerospace and telecommunications.