Abstract: A thorough knowledge of the ion-matter interaction is the basis and key to studying the anti-radiation performance of materials and solving the specific application of ion beam technology. The energy deposition of ions is the fundamental cause of irradiation damage to materials, so it is particularly important to study the energy loss mechanism in the process of ion collision. This paper will introduce the background and application value of energetic ions in the material and summarize the model of slow ions in the material based on first principles. In addition, the research progress and development trend of electronic stopping power and microscopic mechanism of electronic energy loss in the interaction between low energy ions and matter at home and abroad are reviewed from theoretical and experimental aspects, and the research results of Beijing Normal University on electronic energy loss in recent years are reviewed. The microscopic mechanism of electronic energy loss affected by charge transfer, chemical bond state, inner electron excitation, and other factors is expounded. The threshold behavior of electron stopping ability at a very low speed is studied, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of ion beam technology and the evaluation of the anti-irradiation performance of materials. Finally, the preliminary work is summarized and the future research is reviewed.