Cationic hybridization produces core–shell structure MOF derivatives for reducing electromagnetic pollution

•Core-shell structured MOF derivatives with ideal heterogeneous interfaces were successfully synthesized.•The effective absorption bandwidth of MD-2 is 6.97 GHz and the minimum reflection loss is −75.61 dB.•We compare the electromagnetic synergistic loss mechanism to the “sun” and other loss mechanisms to “planets” revolving around a “star”, and provide a vivid and systematic description of the microwave absorption mechanism of MOF derivatives.