With the rapid advancement of wireless communication, radar detection, and electronic device technologies, low-frequency electromagnetic waves (1-8 GHz) have found increasingly widespread applications in both daily life and military fields. However, the resulting electromagnetic radiation not only interferes with the normal operation of electronic devices but may also pose potential risks to human health [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]]. Low-frequency wave-absorbing materials can effectively absorb low-frequency electromagnetic waves, converting electromagnetic energy into other forms of energy (such as thermal energy), thereby reducing electromagnetic interference and radiation. These materials play a significant role in ensuring the proper functioning of electronic equipment, protecting human health, and enabling military stealth applications [[7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]]. Consequently, the development of efficient wave-absorbing materials to address low-frequency electromagnetic wave pollution has become a major research focus in the field of materials science [13].

An ideal low-frequency absorber possesses characteristics such as the minimum reflection loss (RLmin), minimal thickness, wide bandwidth, and low density, among others [[14], [15], [16], [17]]. To accomplish this objective, contemporary research predominantly employs a composition-morphology synergistic optimization strategy, wherein the electromagnetic wave absorption performance is enhanced through deliberate optimization of both material composition and microstructure configuration. Fundamentally, the judicious selection of constituent materials dictates the intrinsic electromagnetic parameters and wave-absorption capacity, while the precisely engineered micromorphology - particularly encompassing the geometric architecture, dimensional distribution, and spatial dispersion of functional fillers - exerts profound influence on electromagnetic attenuation characteristics [18,19]. Although a large number of nanocomposites (e.g. Graphene [20], carbon nanotubes (CNT) [21], MXene [22,23], Fe3O4 [24], and CoNi Nanoparticles [25], etc) with excellent absorption properties have been developed in recent years by adjusting their structure and composition, we have found that the excellent performance of these nanomaterials is mostly concentrated in the X and Ku bands (8-18 GHz) or even higher frequency bands, which is unfriendly to low-frequency EM wave (0.5 GHz-8 GHz). This frequency-dependent performance limitation arises from fundamental physical constraints inherent to low-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The quarter-wavelength resonance condition (d = λ/4) necessitates that for optimal absorption of 2 GHz radiation (with a free-space wavelength of λ≈15 cm), the absorber thickness must approach 3.75 cm [[26], [27], [28]]. Such substantial thickness requirements directly conflict with modern engineering demands for lightweight and space-efficient absorber designs, presenting a significant challenge for practical low-frequency applications. This fundamental contradiction reveals the core dilemma in current low-frequency absorbing material development: conventional materials typically require compromising thickness to maintain absorption efficiency in low-frequency ranges. Consequently, transcending the limitations of existing material systems and developing novel materials that simultaneously achieve thin-profile characteristics and efficient low-frequency absorption through innovative material design strategies has emerged as a critical scientific challenge in this field. Addressing this challenge necessitates a profound understanding of low-frequency electromagnetic wave attenuation mechanisms, upon which advanced material construction methodologies must be developed.

Low-frequency electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials are broadly categorized into dielectric loss and magnetic loss types based on their dominant attenuation mechanisms. Dielectric loss materials rely on dielectric polarization and conductive loss to dissipate energy. Some researchers have found that for dielectric loss absorbing materials, a key challenge lies in tuning permittivity to achieve high real permittivity (ε') for enhanced polarization, while maintaining low imaginary permittivity (ε”) to prevent excessive reflection at the air-material interface. Theoretical models suggest that hierarchical structures (e.g., core-shell, porous networks) and heterojunction engineering can decouple ε' and ε”, enabling tailored impedance matching [29,30]. For magnetic loss absorbing materials, magnetic metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni alloys) and ferrites excel in low-frequency absorption due to their high permeability and natural resonance effects. Their inherent magnetic loss capabilities, coupled with eddy current suppression via nano-structuring, broaden absorption bandwidths while enabling thinner coatings. Recent advances in hybrid designs (e.g., magnetic-dielectric composites) further synergize electric and magnetic losses, pushing the boundaries of low-frequency performance. In this review, we highlight the latest advances in representative examples of various types of electromagnetic wave (EMW) materials with specialized structures, detailing both the advantages and disadvantages associated with their preparation and application. Furthermore, we provide commentary on the remaining challenges in the domain of low-frequency absorbing materials, as well as potential future developments in this promising field.