Programmable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption via Tailored Metal Single Atom-Support Interactions

Metal single atoms (SA)-support interactions inherently exhibit significant electrochemical activity, demonstrating potential in energy catalysis. However, leveraging these interactions to modulate electronic properties and extend application fields is a formidable challenge, demanding in-depth understanding and quantitative control of atomic-scale interactions. Herein, in situ, off-axis electron holography technique is utilized to directly visualize the interactions between SAs and the graphene surface. These interactions facilitate the formation of dispersed nanoscale regions with high charge density and are highly sensitive to external electromagnetic (EM) fields, resulting in controllable dynamic relaxation processes for charge accumulation and restoration. This leads to customized dielectric relaxation, which is difficult to achieve with current band engineering methods. Moreover, these electronic behaviors are insensitive to elevated temperatures, having characteristics distinct from those of typical metallic or semiconducting materials. Based on these results, programmable EM wave absorption properties are achieved by developing a library of SA-graphene materials and precisely controlling SA-support interactions to tailor their responses to EM waves in terms of frequency and intensity. This advancement addresses the customized anti-EM interference requirements of electronic components, greatly enhancing the development of integrated circuits and micro-nano chips. Future efforts will concentrate on manipulating atomic interactions in SA-support, potentially revolutionizing nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.