Synergistic integration of spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles and bamboo-sourced carbon surface for highly efficient microwave absorption via interfacial optimization

With the widespread adoption of 5G communication and electronic devices, electromagnetic pollution has become a serious environmental issue. Traditional electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials face environmental challenges such as non-degradability, difficult recycling, and high energy consumption during production. This study proposes an innovative solution in line with the concept of clean production: converting bamboo processing waste into high-performance electromagnetic wave-absorbing (EMWA) materials. Through a mild hydrothermal method, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are grown in situ in the multilevel pores of bamboo, successfully preparing a lightweight, degradable, and magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /bamboo composite material. This material exhibits excellent EMW performance within the frequency range of 2–18 GHz, with a minimum reflection loss of − 63.33 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth covers 2.63 GHz. Furthermore, the application of the composite materials prepared in this study in the aerospace industry was explored through simulation software. By manifesting a “waste-to-wealth” transition, this study paves the way for advanced electromagnetic protection solutions that strictly adhere to the global mandates of clean production and long-term sustainability.