Dielectric microbead-decorated conductive polymer composites towards ultrathin high-performance Terahertz absorbing coatings

Abstract

The rapid development of terahertz (THz) technology necessitates efficient absorbers to mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI). Here, we demonstrate a simple strategy of incorporating dielectric microbeads into conductive polymer composites to enhance THz absorption. Polystyrene (PS) microbeads embedded in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) improve impedance matching, introduce dielectric scattering centers, and reshape PEDOT sheets to induce multiple scattering. Optimized composites achieve EMI shielding effectiveness exceeding 40 dB, and reflection loss below -38 dB at a thickness of 0.7 mm. The coatings exhibit strong adhesion, environmental stability, and conformability, offering a versatile route towards ultrathin, lightweight and durable THz absorbers for future electromagnetic protection systems.