Abstract: Electromagnetic wave absorbing (EWA) materials currently play an important role in various fields. However, lightweighting and wideband absorption remain the focuses and challenges of EWA materials research. Aerogels intrinsic properties, such as being lightweight, thermally insulating, and heat-resistant, offer extensive possibilities for multifunctional and diverse environmental applications. This positions them as a highly promising contender for the forthcoming generation of EWA materials. This article elucidates the absorption mechanism of aerogel materials and provides a systematic introduction to the characteristics and development of carbon-based, ceramic-based, and polymer-based aerogel microwave absorbing materials. The optimization approaches for aerogel absorbers are analyzed, focusing on structural control, composite and modification, construction of metastructures, as well as multifunctionalization. Finally, the challenges and future development directions of aerogel EWA materials are summarized, aiming to provide reference for their study and practical application.
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