Strategies for the effective design and regulation of carbon-based metacomposites: a review

Abstract

Since their revolutionary report in 1967, metamaterials have exhibited extraordinary physical properties such as the negative refractive index and the inverse Doppler effect. In recent years, metacomposites with adjustable negative permittivity achieved via classical design and general manufacturing techniques have been proposed, which show potential applications in radar antennas, perfect absorption and invisibility cloaks. However, previous reviews have focused more on metal-based or conductive polymer-based metacomposites, and there are only few reviews on carbon-based metacomposites. Moreover, emphasis is placed on content adjustment; however, design and regulation strategies based on the composition, structure, interface and defect of metacomposites lack in-depth summaries. Therefore, this review thoroughly summarizes the design and regulation of carbon-based metacomposites for the first time. In particular, the component regulation strategy is discussed based on the type, content and distribution of carbon; structural regulation is classified based on carbon dimensions; and the effects of interface and defect engineering involving doping, multilayer and heterogenous interfaces are clarified. This review not only summarizes the regulating strategies of carbon-based metacomposites, but also presents the current challenges and specific perspectives for future development.