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Nowadays, Fe-based microwave absorption materials still face crucial problems of poor oxidation resistance, lack of dielectric loss and narrow effective absorption bandwidth. In this work, we developed a feasible way of calcining and etching SiO 2 microspheres coated Fe3+ and polydopamine (SiO 2 @Fe3+-PDA) to confine Fe nanoparticles (12 nm) in the hollow carbon microspheres with a thickness of 17 nm, which provides more interfaces and polarization sites to enhance microwave attenuation. With the increase of Fe content, the microwave absorption performance of the sample is gradually improved. When Fe content is 19.7 wt%, the sample has a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −30.9 dB and a broadband absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ −10 dB) of 11.9 GHz (6.1–18 GHz) at the thickness of 4.0 mm. The ultra-wide effective absorption bandwidth is ascribed to synergetic effect of Fe nanoparticles and carbon layer, which provide magnetic loss and dielectric loss, respectively. Moreover, the hollow structure extends the transmission path and induces the multiple scattering of the incident electromagnetic waves. The novel hollow Fe/C microspheres are promising as high-efficiency microwave absorbers with strong microwave absorption and broad absorption bandwidth. [Display omitted] • Hollow Fe/C microspheres are fabricated using SiO 2 @Fe3+-PDA microspheres. • Fe nanoparticles are embedded in 17 nm carbon shell. • An ultra-wide effective absorption bandwidth of 11.9 GHz is obtained. • Fe/C-3 sample exhibits a minimum reflection loss value of −30.1 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, to solve the threat of electromagnetic wave (EMW) radiation pollution to human health, intelligent control and information security, tremendous efforts have been made to manufacture EMW absorbing materials. For ideal microwave absorption materials (MAMs), it is generally necessary not only to pursue strong microwave absorption (MA) over wide effective absorption bandwidth (EAB), but also to take into account the requirements of light weight, thin matching thickness and chemical stability characteristics. It has been found that magnetite (Fe 3 O 4) is the most promising MAM to absorb and dissipate EMW among various absorbers, because of its good mechanical and chemical stability, controllable morphology, high Curie temperature, easy preparation, economy and excellent magnetic properties. However, the application performance of Fe 3 O 4 absorber with single composition is limited by its easy agglomeration, eddy current, high density, and impedance mismatch. In addition, achieving efficient MA metrics with low absorber loading remains a huge challenge. To overcome these limitations, conjugation with dielectric carbon-based materials and special structural designs have been extensively explored as viable solutions to optimize the microwave absorption performance (MAP) of Fe 3 O 4. This paper reviews the recent research progress of Fe 3 O 4 /carbon MAMs, and then the influence of dimensions and structures regulations on the MAPs are introduced in detail. Finally, the current existing problems and future development direction of Fe 3 O 4 /carbon composites in the field of MA are also presented. This paper reviews the recent research progress of Fe 3 O 4 /carbon composite absorbers, and then the influence of dimensions and structures on the microwave absorption properties were introduced in detail. [Display omitted] • Mechanisms behind the microwave absorption of Fe 3 O 4 /C composites are interpreted. • Different dimensions and structures of Fe 3 O 4 /C absorbers are reviewed in detail. • Challenges and future directions of Fe 3 O 4 /C absorbers are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]