Abstract:Electromagnetic (EM) pollution is becoming more and more serious due to the wide application of various electronic devices and wireless communication. EM wave absorbing materials with three-dimensional porous structure have become a hot spot of scientific research. The development of carbon-based aerogel composites was reviewed, including the preparation methods of graphene aerogel, biomass derived carbon aerogel, and polymer derived carbon aerogel. The EM absorbing properties of carbon-based aerogel composites, such as magnetic particles/carbon aerogel, SiC/carbon aerogel, carbon nanotubes/carbon aerogel, and MXene/carbon aerogel were also introduced. The EM absorbing mechanisms were briefly described, and the effects of chemical component, microstructure, and loss mechanisms on EM absorbing properties were discussed. Finally, based on the current research situation, the challenges in preparation and performance improvement of carbon-based aerogel composites are summarized, and the development direction of carbon-based aerogel composites was also prospected.