A TTF–TCNQ complex: an organic charge-transfer system with extraordinary electromagnetic response behavior

Charge-transfer based molecular conductors have attracted great attention in recent years, but have been rarely explored in the field of electromagnetic materials. In this work, a nanostructural tetrathiofulvlene-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF–TCNQ) complex, an organic charge-transfer system, was prepared via a solution mixing route. The electromagnetic response behavior of the TTF–TCNQ complex was systematically investigated. The results indicate that the TTF–TCNQ complex shows good electromagnetic absorption (EMA) performance with a filler-loading ratio of 30 wt% in the matrix, where its effective EMA bandwidth can be tuned in the frequency range of 7.1–16.6 GHz. Moreover, the TTF–TCNQ complex exhibits excellent electromagnetic interference shielding performance in the X-band when the filler-loading ratio increases to 45 wt%. A model involving an electronic structure, multi-polarization, and a conductive network is used to explain the electromagnetic response behavior of the TTF–TCNQ complex. This research opens up the exploration of organic charge-transfer systems in the field of electromagnetic materials, and significantly broadens the application scope of charge-transfer materials.