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Vol. 18 (2026)

Electronic Delocalization of Fe Atom–Cluster for Long-Term Stable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in Marine Environments

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02210-y
Shaocong Zhong
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Xinyu Wang
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Rurong Zou
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Chang Long
Aerospace Science and Industry Wuhan Magnetism-Electron Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430074, People’s Republic of China
Pianpian Zhang
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Xueting Zhang
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Zihao Zhao
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Ying Liu
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Can Cui
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Yanan Yang
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China
Long Xia
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai 264209, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Long Xia

xialonghit@gmail.com

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 364

Abstract

High‐performance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers with environmental adaptability are essential for advanced maritime stealth and electromagnetic protection. Herein, we design a synergistic absorber integrating Fe clusters (FeAC) and single atoms (FeSA) to tackle the issue of EMW attenuation under high-salinity and humidity marine conditions. First-principles calculations and experiments reveal that FeAC and FeSA anchored on a π‐conjugated carbon support form a delocalized electronic space that enables long-range electronic interactions and multicenter synergistic coupling. This electronic synergy markedly strengthens conduction loss and dipolar polarization, delivering a minimum reflection loss of − 68.78 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 6.00 GHz at a low loading of 6 wt%. Notably, FeAC exhibits a thermodynamically preferred adsorption toward Cl−, generating locally enriched negative‐charge regions that mitigate direct ionic attack on atomically dispersed FeSA sites and thereby suppress corrosion-induced performance degradation. In addition, the absorber film demonstrates mechanical flexibility and thermal insulation, highlighting its potential for durable and high‐efficiency maritime EMW protection applications.


Highlights:
1 Fe cluster–single-atom synergy induces electron delocalization and charge redistribution, enabling multicenter coupling for enhanced electromagnetic wave attenuation.
2 The synergistic electronic regulation significantly strengthens dielectric loss and conduction loss, leading to high‐efficiency electromagnetic wave absorption at low filler loadings.
3 Fe clusters preferentially adsorb Cl−, generating localized negatively charged regions that mitigate ionic attack on single-atom sites and improve durability in marine conditions.

Keywords

Fe single atom Fe cluster Electromagnetic wave absorption Electronic delocalization Marine environment
Zhong, Shaocong, Xinyu Wang, Rurong Zou, Chang Long, Pianpian Zhang, Xueting Zhang, Zihao Zhao, Ying Liu, Can Cui, Yanan Yang, and Long Xia. 2026. “Electronic Delocalization of Fe Atom–Cluster for Long-Term Stable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in Marine Environments”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (May):364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02210-y.
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