Microstructure and electromagnetic characteristics of BaTiO3/Ni hybrid particles prepared by electroless plating

To improve the microwave absorption ability, hybrid particles containing both dielectric loss of BaTiO₃ and magnetic loss of Ni were fabricated via electroless Ni plating on BaTiO₃ particles. A continuous Ni coating was successfully covered on the surface of the BaTiO₃. The effect of the Ni content on complex permittivity, complex permeability, and microwave absorption properties of BaTiO₃/Ni hybrid particles was investigated. The real (?′) and imaginary (?″) parts of complex permittivity as well as imaginary part of complex permeability (μ″) were found to increase with an increase in Ni content, while the variation of the real part of complex permeability (μ′) with Ni content was non-linear. The microwave absorption performances could readily be tuned base on the changing Ni content of the hybrid particles. The optimal absorption performances were attained when the content of Ni reached 38.9 wt% in hybrid particles.     

Sintering temperature dependence of room temperature magnetic and dielectric properties of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 prepared using mechanically alloyed nanoparticles

Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared using mechanical alloying (MA) and sintering. The crystallite size, coercivity, retentivity and saturation magnetization were also measured. The frequency dependence of dielectric and the magnetic parameters, namely, real permittivity ε′, loss tanget tan δ, real permeability μ′ and loss factor μ″ were measured at room temperature for samples sintered from 600 to 1000 °C, in the frequency range 10 MHz to 1.0 GHz. The results show that the crystallite size of the resulting products ranges between 16 and 67 nm for as-milled sample and the sample sintered at 1000 °C, respectively. The sample sintered at 1000 °C, measured at room temperature exhibited a saturation magnetization of 37 emu g⁻¹. The values of permittivity remain constant within the measured frequency, but vary with sintering temperature. The permeability values, on the other hand however vary with both the sintering temperature and the frequency, thus, the absolute value of the permeability decreased after the natural resonance frequency.     

Low temperature fired Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite with Bi4Ti3O12

The Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites with different contents of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ ceramics (1-8 wt%) as sintering additives were prepared by the usual ceramic technology and sintered at 900 °C to adapt to the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the ferrite can be effectively improved with the effect of an appropriate amount of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. For all samples, the ferrite sintered with 2 wt% Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ has relatively high density (98.8%) and permeability, while the ferrite with 8 wt% Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ has relatively good dielectric properties in a wide frequency range. The influences of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ addition on microstructure, magnetic and dielectric properties of the ferrite have been discussed.     

Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4 magnetic films plated on hollow glass spheres

Magnetic hollow spheres of low density were prepared by plating Fe₃O₄ magnetic films on hollow glass spheres using ferrite plating. The complex permeability and permittivity of spheres–wax composites were measured in the range of 2–18 GHz. The complex permeability and permittivity increased, and the dielectric and magnetic losses were improved as the volume fraction of the magnetic spheres in the composites increased from 60% to 80%, which also resulted in a great improvement of microwave absorption properties. For composites with volume fraction 80%, its magnetic resonance frequency was at about 13 GHz and it appeared three loss peaks in the calculated reflection loss curves; the bandwidth less than −10 dB was almost 4 GHz which was just in the Ku-band frequencies (12–18 GHz) and a minimum reflection loss of −20 dB was obtained when the thickness was 2.6 mm; the microwave absorbing properties were mainly due to the magnetic loss. The results showed that the magnetic spheres composites were good and light microwave absorbers in the Ku-band frequencies.     

Electromagnetic properties of low-temperature co-fired xPZT+(1−x)NiCuZn-ferrite composites

To adjust the dielectric constant and the initial permeability of NiCuZn-ferrite materials for suppressing electromagnetic interference, Pb_0.95Sr_0.05(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT) was introduced. The effects of PZT additive on the phase composition, densification, microstructures and electromagnetic properties of the ceramics with composition of xPZT+(1−x)NiCuZn-ferrite (where x=0-25 wt%) were investigated. The results show that these composites are mainly of spinel phase, exhibiting relatively high dielectric constant and initial permeability due to the mutual effects of magnetization of NiCuZn-ferrite phase and polarization of PZT phase. Meanwhile, relatively high-quality factor (Q) and excellent frequency stability were obtained for the samples with PZT additive. These materials are expected to be used as embedded inductors or embedded capacitors.     

Effect of CaO-B2O3-SiO2 glass on the magnetic and dielectric properties of NiCuZn ferrites

NiCuZn ferrites with different contents of CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ glasses were synthesized by a conventional ceramic technology and sintered at 1050 °C. It was found that the addition of CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ influenced the magnetic and dielectric properties of the ferrites. The saturation magnetization increased at first and reached its maximum with the sample of 2 wt% CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂, and then decreased. The initial permeability decreased with the content of CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ but the cut-off frequency increased. The quality factor decreased first and then increased; the maximum quality factor was obtained in the sample with 3 wt% CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂. With increasing content of CaO-B₂O₃-SiO₂, the permittivity increased sharply. The possible reasons responsible for these changes are explained.     

Magnetic and microwave absorbing properties of magnetite-thermoplastic natural rubber nanocomposites

Magnetic and microwave absorbing properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) filled magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanocomposites were investigated. The TPNR matrix was prepared from polypropylene (PP), natural rubber (NR) and liquid natural rubber (LNR) in the ratio of 70:20:10 with the LNR as the compatibilizer. TPNR-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites with 4-12 wt% Fe₃O₄ as filler were prepared via a Thermo Haake internal mixer using a melt-blending method. XRD reveals the presence of cubic spinel structure of Fe₃O₄ with the lattice parameter of a=8.395 Å. TEM micrograph shows that the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are almost spherical with the size ranging 20-50 nm. The values of saturation magnetization (M_S), remanence (M_R), initial magnetic susceptibility (χ_i) and initial permeability (μ_i) increase, while the coercivity (H_C) decreases with increasing filler content for all compositions. For nanocomposites, the values of the real (ε_r′) and imaginary permittivity (ε_r′′) and imaginary permeability (μ_r′′) increase, while the value of real permeability (μ_r′) decreases as the filler content increases. The absorption or minimum reflection loss (R_L) continuously increases and the dip shifts to a lower frequency region with the increasing of both filler content in nanocomposites and the sample thickness. The R_L is −25.51 dB at 12.65 GHz and the absorbing bandwidth in which the R_L is less than −10 dB is 2.7 GHz when the filler content is 12 wt% at 9 mm sample thickness.     

Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of carbonyl iron/La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 composites

In this work carbonyl iron/La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ composites were prepared to develop super-thin microwave absorbing materials. The complex permittivity, permeability and microwave absorption properties are investigated in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. An optimal reflection loss of −12.4 dB is reached at 10.5 GHz with a matching thickness of 0.8 mm. The thickness of carbonyl iron/La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ absorber is thinner, compared with conventional carbonyl iron powders with the same absorption properties. The bandwidth with a reflection loss exceeding −7.4 dB is obtained in the whole measured frequency range with the thickness of 0.8 mm. The excellent microwave absorption properties are attributed to a better electromagnetic matching established by the combination of the enhanced dielectric loss and nearly invariable magnetic loss with the addition of La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ nanoparticles in the composites. Our work indicates that carbonyl iron/La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ composites may have an important application in wide-band and super-thin electromagnetic absorbers in the frequency range of 8−12 GHz.     

Annealing temperature effect on microstructure,magnetic and microwave properties of Fe-based amorphous alloy powders

Fe₇₄Ni₃Si₁₃Cr₆W₄ amorphous alloy powders were annealed at different temperature (T) for 1.5 h to fabricate the corresponding amorphous and nanocrystalline powders. The influences of T on the crystalline structure, morphology, magnetic and microwave electromagnetic properties of the resultant samples were investigated via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer. The results show that the powder samples obtained at T of 650 °C or more are composed of lots of ultra-fine α-Fe(Si) grains embedded in an amorphous matrix. When T increases from 350 to 750 °C, the saturated magnetization and coercivity of the as-annealed powder samples both increase monotonously whereas the relative real permittivity shows a minimal value and the relative real permeability shows a maximal value at T of 650 °C. Thus the powder samples annealed at 650 °C show optimal reflection loss under −10 dB in the whole C-band. These results here suggest that the annealing heat treatment of Fe-based amorphous alloy is an effective approach to fabricate high performance microwave absorber with reasonable permittivity and large permeability simultaneously via adjusting T.     

Optimization of electromagnetic matching of carbonyl iron/BaTiO3 composites for microwave absorption

Microwave absorbing materials filled with BaTiO₃ and carbonyl iron (CI) particles with various weight fractions (BaTiO₃/CI particles=100/0 to 0/100) are investigated. The dielectric and magnetic properties of the absorbers can be tuned by changing the weight ratio of BaTiO₃/CI particles in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz. Numerical simulations are also performed to design a single-layer and double-layer absorber. The minimum reflection loss of the composite filled with 20 wt% BaTiO₃ and 60 wt% CI particles at 2.0 mm thickness can be reached to −42 dB at 4.1 GHz. With the weight ratio of CI particles in the composite increased, the microwave absorption peak shifted to the lower frequency region. By using a double-layer absorber structure, the microwave absorption performance of the absorber is enhanced. The result shows that the total thickness of the absorber can be reduced below 1.4 mm by using a matching layer filled with 50 wt% BaTiO₃, and an absorption layer filled with 60 wt% BaTiO₃ and 20 wt% CI particles, whereas the reflection loss below −10 dB can be obtained in the frequency range of 10.8-14.8 GHz and the minimum reflection loss of −59 dB can be obtained at 12.5 GHz.     

Effect of surface modification on dielectric and magnetic properties of metal powder/polymer nanocomposites

Metal nanopowder (Co and Fe)/polymer composites, both with and without surface modification by behenic acid, were fabricated and their dielectric and magnetic properties were measured at 1 GHz to study the effect of surface modification on the electromagnetic properties. The relative permittivity and the real part of the permeability of the composites with surface modified powders were higher than those with unmodified powders. Related dielectric losses remained at almost the same level, but magnetic losses were somewhat increased. The increase of relative permittivity could result from the increased volume fraction of interphase with a slightly higher relative permittivity at the particle/polymer interface than that of the bulk polymer. The increase in the real part of the permeability may be caused by suppression of the induced demagnetizing field due to suppression of eddy currents by a better particle distribution and a decrease in effective agglomerate size because of the surface modification.     

Magnetic,magnetoelectric and dielectric behavior of CoFe2O4–Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 particulate and layered composites

Magnetic, magnetoelectric and dielectric properties of multiferroic CoFe₂O₄–Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ composites prepared as bulk ceramics were compared with those of tape cast and cofired laminates consisting of alternate ferrite and relaxor layers. X-ray diffraction analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope observations of ceramic samples revealed two-phase composition and fine grained microstructure with uniformly distributed ferrite and relaxor phases. High and broad maxima of dielectric permittivity attributed to dielectric relaxation were found for ceramic samples measured in a temperature range from −55 to 500 °C at frequencies 10 Hz–2 MHz. Magnetic hysteresis, zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) curves, and dependencies of magnetization on temperature for both magnetoelectric composites were measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer in an applied magnetic field up to 80 kOe at 4–400 K. The hysteresis loops obtained for composites are typical of a mixture of the hard magnetic material with a significant amount of the paramagnet. The bifurcation of ZFC–FC magnetizations observed for both composites implies spin-glass behavior. Magnetoelectric properties at room temperature were investigated as a function of dc magnetic field (0.3–7.2 kOe) and frequency (10 Hz–10 kHz) of ac magnetic field. Both types of composites exhibit a distinct magnetoelectric effect. Maximum values of magnetoelectric coefficient attained for the layered composites exceed 200 mV/(cm Oe) and are almost three times higher than those for particulate composites.     

Low-temperature sintering of M-type barium ferrite with BaCu(B2O5) additive

The aim of this work is to lower the sintered temperature of M-type barium ferrite (BaM) by BaCu(B₂O₅) (BCB) additives. The effects of BCB additives on the sintering behavior, structure and magnetic properties of BaM were also discussed. It was found that the sintered density, saturation magnetization and initial permeability of BaM are modified obviously as small amount of BCB (1-4 wt%) is added. Especially, when BaM with 3 wt% BCB was sintered at 900 °C, the single-phase BaM was obtained and showed excellent properties with sintered density of 4.88 g/cm³, saturation magnetization of 61.4 emu/g and initial permeability of 3.15. In addition, the SEM result revealed that the sample can be co-fired well with the Ag electrode at 900 °C. The reason for this was attributed to be the formation of the BCB liquid phase. It suggests that this M-type barium ferrite can be used as LTCC substrate for millimeter wave circulator, filter and other magnetic microwave devices.     

The structure and magnetotransport properties of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/Ba(La)TiO3 composites

The effect of Ba(La)TiO₃ doping on the structure and magnetotransport properties of La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃(LSMO)/xBa(La)TiO₃ (x=0.0, 1.0, 5.0 mol%) have been investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns and microstructural analysis show that BaTiO₃ and LSMO phases exist independently in BaTiO₃-doped composites. The metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) decreases whereas the maximum resistivity increases very quickly by the increase of BaTiO₃ doping level. The partial substitution of Ba by La(0.35 mol%) results in a decrease in resistivity of LSMO/xBa(La)TiO₃ composites. Magnetoresistance of BaTiO₃-doped composites decreases monotonously in the temperature range 200-400 K in a magnetic field of 5 T, which is completely different from that of LSMO compound. The value of MR decreases at low field (H<1 T) and increases at high fields (H>1 T) with increasing the BaTiO₃ doping level at low temperatures below 280 K. These investigations reveal that the magnetotransport properties of LSMO/xBa(La)TiO₃ composites are dominated by spin-dependent scattering and tunneling effect at the LSMO/BaTiO₃/LSMO magnetic tunnel junction.     

Synthesis, characterization and electromagnetic properties of Fe1−xCox alloy flower-like microparticles

Fe_1−xCo_x alloy microparticles with size 3-5 μm and novel flower-like shapes were prepared by a simple low temperature reduction method. The electromagnetic properties for the paraffin matrix composites containing Fe_1−xCo_x alloy microparticles were measured using a vector network analyzer in the 2-18 GHz frequency range. As a consequence of large surface- and shape-anisotropy energy for the flower-like shaped 3D microstructures, the strong natural resonance around 8-12 GHz and remarkable dielectric relaxation were observed in the complex permittivity and permeability spectrum, which are dominant in the enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) performance. It was found that both the electromagnetic parameters of complex permittivity and permeability and the intensity and location of absorption band were remarkably dependent on the Co/Fe molar ratio. The enhanced EMA performance was obtained in these Fe_1−xCo_x-paraffin (x=0.4, 0.5, and 0.6) composites system. For the Fe_0.5Co_0.5 alloy, the reflection loss (RL) exceeding −20 dB was obtained in the broad frequency range of 5.4-18 GHz with a thin sample thickness of between 1.0 and 2.9 mm. In particular, an optimal RL of −59 dB was obtained at 3.61 GHz with a thin thickness of 3.6 mm for the Fe_0.4Co_0.6 sample. The Fe_1−xCo_x alloy microparticles may be attractive candidates for applications of microwave absorption materials with a wide frequency range and strong absorption in the high frequency region.     

Microwave properties of composites with chromium dioxide

The permittivity and permeability of composites filled with CrO₂ powder are measured within the frequency range from 0.05 to 12 GHz. A sharp line of magnetic absorption is detected near 8 GHz. The effects of magnetic bias and remanence on the permittivity and permeability spectra are analyzed. The hysteretic behavior of dynamic permeability is observed for both parallel and perpendicular bias orientations relative to the microwave magnetic field. The effect is due to switching of the magnetic texture under bias equal to coercive field. At 50 MHz the parallel bias close to coercive field affects permeability much stronger than the perpendicular one. At 10 GHz the effect of perpendicular bias is higher than that of the parallel one. The effect of remanence on the microwave permeability is negligible. The 3 kOe parallel bias suppresses the line of magnetic absorption and decreases the conductivity of the composite and its microwave permittivity. This can be attributed to the magnetostatic interaction of inclusions in the vicinity of the percolation threshold.     

Influence of Sm-substitution on structure and electromagnetic properties of Ba3−xSmxCo2Fe24O41 powders

Sm-substituted barium hexaferrites, Ba_3−xSm_xCo₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ (x=0-0.25), were prepared by a conventional ceramic sintering method. The microstructure, complex permittivity, complex permeability and static magnetic properties of the samples were studied using powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, vector network analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results reveal that by introducing a relatively small amount of Sm³⁺ instead of Ba²⁺ an important modification of both structure and high-frequency electromagnetic properties can be obtained. Doping of Sm³⁺ suppressed the grain growth and gave rise to a decrease of the grain size. As the Sm content increases, the static magnetic properties continuously increase. The real part and imaginary part of complex permittivity initially increase with Sm content, and then decreases when x>0.10. The imaginary part of complex permeability decreases after Sm³⁺ is doped. There is no obvious change in the real part of the complex permeability for different Sm contents. The reasons are discussed using electromagnetic theory.     

Magnetic properties of xNi0.53Cu0.12Zn0.35Fe1.88O4+(1−x)BaTiO3 nanocomposites

The nanocrystalline Ni_0.53Cu_0.12Zn_0.35Fe_1.88O₄ and BaTiO₃ powders were prepared using Microwave-Hydrothermal (M-H) method at 160 °C/45 min. The as synthesized powders were characterized using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The size of the powders that were synthesized using M-H system was found to be ∼30 and ∼50 nm for ferrite phase and ferroelectric phases, respectively. The powders were densified using microwave sintering method at 900 °C/30 min. The ferrite and ferroelectric phases were observed from XRD and morphology of the composites was observed with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).The magnetic hysteresis loops were recorded using the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM).The frequency dependence of real (μ′) and imaginary (μ″) parts of permeability was measured in the range of 1 MHz-1.8 GHz. The permeability decreases with an increase of BaTiO₃ content at 1 MHz. The transition temperature (T_C) of ferrite was found to be 245 °C. The T_C of composite materials decreases with an increase in BaTiO₃ content.     

Magnetic and electromagnetic properties of composites of iron oxide and Co-B alloy prepared by chemical reduction

Magnetic and electromagnetic properties were investigated on the composites of iron oxide and Co-B alloy, which were prepared by a modified chemical reduction method. The composites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The complex electromagnetic parameters (permittivity ε_r=ε_r′+jε_r″ and permeability μ_r=μ_r′+jμ_r″) of paraffin mixed composite samples (paraffin:composites=1:1 in mass ratio) were measured in the frequency range 2-18 GHz by vector network analyzer. The measured real part (ε_r′) and imaginary part (ε_r″) of the relative permittivity show two resonant peaks in the range of 2-18 GHz. The imaginary parts of relative permeability (μ_r″) of all samples exhibited one broad resonant peak over the 2-8 GHz range. The μ_r″ of samples with higher molar ratio of Co to Fe (C and D) shows negative values within 13-18 GHz, which exhibit resonant and antiresonant permeabilities simultaneously. Calculation results indicated that the reflection loss values of the composites and paraffin wax mixtures are less than −10 dB with frequency width of about 6 GHz at the matching thickness.     

Broadband spectroscopy of the electromagnetic properties of aqueous ferrofluids for biomedical applications

This paper presents the results of a broadband spectroscopy study, over the frequency range 1 MHz-2 GHz, of the electromagnetic properties of a ferrofluid consisting of magnetite nanoparticles, with a mean magnetic size of 10 nm, dispersed in water. An innovative measurement approach and apparatus, allowing an accurate determination of the permeability, even in presence of a large permittivity, have been developed to characterize the suspension. The results obtained show a significant magnetic response over the whole analyzed frequency range, with a good agreement with the theoretical models describing the magnetization dynamics of these systems. Moreover, a strong dielectric response has been detected, which is in satisfactory agreement with the models developed to describe the dielectric behavior of charged nanoparticles suspended in aqueous solution. This result implies that measurement techniques able to determine both the permittivity and permeability become mandatory for a reliable determination of the magnetic properties of aqueous ferrofluids. The accuracy of the determined permeability spectrum is estimated to be of the order of few percent, so these results provide a reliable experimental basis to estimate how fruitful the use of magnetic nanoparticles can be in relevant biomedical applications.