Preparation of Ag-coated hollow microspheres via electroless plating for application in lightweight microwave absorbers

- Microwave absorbers with a reduced thickness and small mass were designed.
- Uniform coating of Ag films required a sufficient AgNO3 concentration and a low concentration of reducing agent.
- Rubber composites containing the Ag-coated microspheres exhibited high dielectric constants and dielectric loss.
- Microwave absorbance was enhanced with the decrease of electrical resistance of microspheres.