Recent Advances in Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber-Based Composite Microwave Absorbing Materials

With the rapid advancement of science and technology, communication and electronic technologies have developed at an unprecedented pace, which has further aggravated electromagnetic pollution and raised higher demands for high-performance and multifunctional electromagnetic wave absorbing materials. Electrospun carbon nanofibers are characterized by low density, high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, and tunable structural composition. Their highly conductive networks and abundant interfacial structures facilitate the construction of continuous conductive pathways and promote interfacial polarization, thereby enhancing electromagnetic energy dissipation. In addition, the integration of electrospinning technology with diverse functional materials not only improves microwave absorption capability but also imparts multifunctional properties to the resulting composites. This review summarizes recent advances in electrospun carbon nanofiber-based composite microwave absorbing materials. First, the development history, fundamental principles, and key influencing factors of electrospinning technology are introduced. Then, binary, ternary, and multicomponent composite systems are systematically discussed, with emphasis on the effects of functional components, heterogeneous interfaces, and hierarchical structures on electromagnetic parameters, impedance matching, and microwave absorption performance. Finally, the future development of these materials is discussed in terms of lightweight broadband absorption, flexible microwave absorption, intelligent responsiveness, and green manufacturing. This review aims to provide useful guidance for the rational design of high-performance electrospun carbon nanofiber-based composite microwave absorbing materials from the perspective of “structural design-interface regulation-electromagnetic response mechanisms.”