Cadmium (Cd), boron (B) and some rare elements possess a large thermal neutron absorption cross section, which has a wide application prospect in the field of nuclear shielding neutron absorption. This paper summarizes the types of neutron-absorbing materials currently used for wet storage of spent fuel in nuclear power plants and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these materials. The research progress of B4C/Al neutron absorption material, and presents different preparation methods and their merits and demerits. Besides, connecting methods of neutron absorption material are introduced, especially the advantages of friction stir welding and diffusion welding in fabricating metal matrix composites with high particle contents. Composition and structure design of neutron absorption materials are analyzed, and future nuclear shielding neutron absorption material is prospected.