Microwave absorption properties of Sr2FeMoO6 nanoparticles

The microwave absorption properties of nanosized double perovskite Sr₂FeMoO₆ and epoxy resin composites were investigated in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz using the coaxial method. The Sr₂FeMoO₆ composites with an optimal 20 wt% epoxy resin showed a strong electromagnetic attenuation of −49.3 dB at 8.58 GHz with a matching thickness of 2.15 mm. Moreover the optimum absorption frequency at which the reflection loss is less than −20 dB, which corresponds to 99% reflection loss of the incident microwave, is from 5.7 to 13.2 GHz with the matching thickness ranging from 3.0 to 1.5 mm. The excellent microwave-absorption properties are a consequence of a proper electromagnetic match due to the existence of the insulating matrix of anti-site defects and anti-phase domains, which not only contribute to the dielectric loss but also to the reduced eddy current loss.     

Enhanced microwave absorption in ZnO/carbonyl iron nano-composites by coating dielectric material

The microwave absorption properties of zinc oxide/carbonyl iron composite nanoparticles fabricated by high energy ball milling were studied at 0-20 GHz. Experiments showed that ZnO as a kind of dielectric material coating carbonyl iron particles made the bandwidth of reflection loss (RL)<−5 dB expanding to the low frequency, and enhanced absorption effect obviously. For a 3 mm thickness absorber of ZnO/carbonyl iron after 30 h milling, the values of RL<−5 dB and RL<−8 dB were obtained in the frequency range from 7.0 GHz to 17.8 GHz and from 9.8 dB to 14.9 dB, respectively, and its strongest RL peak was −29.34 dB at 13.59 GHz. The magnetic loss of carbonyl iron particles and the dielectric loss of ZnO particles were the main mechanisms of microwave absorption for the composites.     

Effect of Ag substitution on the electromagnetic property and microwave absorption of LaMnO3

La_1−xAg_xMnO₃ perovskites with different doping Ag-content were prepared by the sol–gel method. The electromagnetic characteristics and microwave loss behavior of these ion-doped rare-earth manganites were studied in the 2–18 GHz frequency range. The microstructure and morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The complex permittivity spectra, the complex permeability spectra and microwave reflection loss were measured by a microwave vector network analyzer system. The XRD patterns show that the crystalline perovskite main phase ABO₃ is formed and impurity phases disappear when calcined at 1100 °C, and Ag metal as an impurity phase appears when excessive Ag⁺ is doped. The SEM image indicates that many of the La_0.85Ag_0.15MnO₃ particles are fiber-like or ellipsoidal. Magnetic loss and dielectric loss coexist and cooperate in microwave attenuation by moderate substitution of Ag⁺ for La³⁺. The microwave absorption property of the La_0.85Ag_0.15MnO₃ sample is enhanced with the bandwidth below −10 dB at about 6 GHz and the peak value of reflection loss is near −25.0 dB at the layer thickness of 2 mm.     

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.     

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.     

Electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties of Fe–Sr0.8La0.2Fe11.8Co0.2O19 shell-core composites

Shell-core Fe–Sr_0.8La_0.2Fe_11.8Co_0.2O₁₉ composites are prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for use as microwave absorbing materials. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses show that the CVD method yields Sr_0.8La_0.2Fe_11.8Co_0.2O₁₉ powders with a uniform coating of Fe. Compared with Sr_0.8La_0.2Fe_11.8Co_0.2O₁₉, Fe–Sr_0.8La_0.2Fe_11.8Co_0.2O₁₉ composites have higher electrical conductivity, permittivity, and dielectric loss, which gradually increase with increasing Fe content. When Sr_0.8La_0.2Fe_11.8Co_0.2O₁₉/Fe=7:3, a reflection loss (RL) exceeding −10 dB is obtained in the frequency range of 10–14 GHz at a coating thickness of 2.0 mm. A minimum RL of −30 dB was found at 8.0 GHz, corresponding to a matching thickness of 2.8 mm.     

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.     

The microwave absorption properties of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1−yFeyO3 nanocrystalline powders in the frequency range 2-18 GHz

La_1−xSr_xMn_1−yFe_yO₃ nanocrystalline powders were prepared by the sol-gel method as a microwave absorption material. The reflectance, the dielectric loss tan δ_e and the magnetic loss tan δ_m of the samples were calculated according to the data of electromagnetism parameters measured by a microwave vector network analyzer in the frequency range 2-18 GHz. The dielectric loss tan δ_e and the magnetic loss tan δ_m had a step-change at a certain frequency so that the superiority of dielectric loss change into the superiority of magnetic loss, which indicated that anti-ferromagnetic clusters in the material change into ferromagnetic clusters by absorbing quantum of microwave electromagnetic field when the frequency of incident microwave reaches a certain value. The effective absorption bandwidth higher than 10 dB reached 6.2 GHz. As a result, the La_0.8Sr_0.2Mn_1−yFe_yO₃ has shown useful applications as a microwave absorption material.     

Microwave electromagnetic property of SiO2-coated carbonyl iron particles with higher oxidation resistance

Flake carbonyl iron (CI) particles and amorphous silica were used to fabricate SiO₂-coated CI particles through the Stober process. The as-prepared SiO₂-coated CI particles were annealed at 500 °C for 1 h under argon and air atmosphere. The XRD results showed that only a little amount of oxides were formed when the SiO₂-coated CI particles were annealed under the air atmosphere. The magnetic properties of the SiO₂-coated CI particles before and after annealing treatment showed little change, indicating that amorphous silica appears to be very effective in reducing oxidation of the CI particles. The reflection loss exceeding −10 dB can be obtained in the frequency range of 9.9-14.6 GHz and a minimum value can be reached to −21.5 dB at 12.2 GHz for the annealed SiO₂-coated CI particles with the composite thickness being 1.5 mm. The mechanism of annealing treatment influence on the electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption of the SiO₂-coated CI particles was also discussed.     

γ-MnO2/polyaniline composites: Preparation, characterization, and applications in microwave absorption

MnO₂/doped polyaniline (PANI) is prepared by an in situ polymerization method using γ-MnO₂ as the addition agent and hydrochloric acid as the doping agent. Products are characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, XRD, and TEM. Conductivity, electromagnetic properties, and microwave absorption properties are first discussed on the basis of structural characterization. The as-prepared products of MnO₂/PANI are partially crystalline in nature and spherical in pattern with grain sizes of 50-70 nm. MnO₂ particles are successfully decorated with doped PANI. MnO₂/PANI displays moderate electric conduction, excellent dielectric losses, and microwave absorption capabilities. Compared to pure MnO₂, the dielectric and reflection loss properties of MnO₂/PANI composites exhibit significant improvements, with an effective absorption band at 5 GHz under −10 dB and maximum reflection loss of −21 dB at 13.56 GHz. Pure MnO₂ shows an effective absorption band of 3 GHz under −10 dB and a maximum reflection loss of −14.20 dB at 11.5 GHz. Thus, MnO₂/PANI composites are found to be a promising microwave absorption material.     

Electromagnetic wave absorption properties of carbonyl iron-ferrite/PMMA composites fabricated by hybridization method

The surface of carbonyl iron powder or a mixture of carbonyl iron and ferrite was coated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres by a hybridization method to make hybrid powders, and then electromagnetic wave absorption properties of the hybrid composites prepared with these hybrid powders have been investigated. As for the carbonyl iron/PMMA hybrid composite, the reflection loss less than −20 dB could be achieved in a frequency range of 1.7–5.0 GHz when the composite thickness was below 5.00 mm. In the case of the carbonyl iron-ferrite/PMMA hybrid composite, a similar reflection loss was observed in a frequency range of 4.3–13.0 GHz. Thus, the addition of ferrite was found to be useful for achieving a large absorption in a wide frequency range, especially for higher frequency values. Simulated values for the minimum reflection loss are well agreed with actually measured ones, because of homogeneous distribution of carbonyl iron and/or ferrite in these hybrid composites.     

Iron phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe3O4 hybrid microspheres and their microwave absorption property

The novel nano-scale iron phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe₃O₄ (FePc/Fe₃O₄) hybrid microspheres were synthesized from iron phthalocyanine oligomer and FeCl₃·6H₂O via a solvent-thermal crystallization route. The morphology and structure of the hybrid microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These results showed that the hybrids were monodisperse microspheres and the morphology can be adjusted by controlling pre-polymerization time. The saturation magnetization increased with increase in the pre-polymerization time, while the coercivities decreased. The FePc/Fe₃O₄ hybrid microspheres exhibited novel microwave electromagnetic properties: the dielectric loss was enhanced when the pre-polymerization time increased and a new microwave loss peak appeared at high frequency. The microwave absorbing properties enhanced with increase in the pre-polymerization time and a maximum reflection loss of −29.7 dB was obtained at 11.7 GHz with 6 h of pre-polymerization time when the matching thickness was 3.0 mm. The novel hybrid materials are believed to have potential applications as microwave absorbing materials.     

Model design on calculations of microwave permeability and permittivity of Fe/SiO2 particles with core/shell structure

Fe/SiO₂ particles with core/shell structure were prepared by coating silica on the surface of a commercial spherical carbonyl iron via the hydrolysis process of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The electromagnetic performance of commercial carbonyl iron and as-prepared Fe/SiO₂ particles was studied theoretically and experimentally. As predicted by the theoretical calculation based on the Bruggeman formula and the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) theory, the insulating surface layer of silica was effective to reduce the permittivity parameters of pure carbonyl iron. The measured results showed good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Although there was a little decrease in the permeability of the Fe/SiO₂ core/shell particles, a better impedance match especially at higher frequency range was obtained when used as a microwave absorber. The reflection loss (RL) curves show that the lowest reflection loss of Fe/Epoxy composite (−20.5 GHz) was obtained corresponding to the frequency of 8.5 GHz when the thickness of the absorber was 3 mm. A different trend was observed in Fe/SiO₂/Epoxy composite. The reflection loss value got lower by decreasing the thickness of absorbers. At the thickness of 2.2 mm, a relative low reflection loss (−17 GHz) corresponding to the frequency of 13.6 GHz was obtained. Compared with the Fe/Epoxy composite, the improvement on shifting the reflection loss peak to higher frequency and on reducing the optimal thickness of absorbers was made by Fe/SiO₂/Epoxy composite.     

Electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption of W-type hexagonal ferrites doped with La

W-type barium hexaferrites with compositions of Ba₁Co_0.9Zn_1.1Fe₁₆O₂₇ and Ba_0.8La_0.2Co_0.9Zn_1.1Fe₁₆O₂₇ were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption behavior of these two ferrites were studied in the 2-18 GHz frequency range. The microstructure and morphology of the ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The complex permittivity spectra, the complex permeability spectra and microwave reflection loss were measured by a microwave vector network analyzer. The XRD patterns show that the main phase of the Co₂W ferrite forms without other intermediate phases when calcined at 1200 °C. The SEM images indicate that flake-like hexagonal crystals distribute uniformly in the materials. Both the magnetic and dielectric losses are significantly enhanced by partial substitution of La³⁺ for Ba²⁺ in the W-type barium hexaferrites. The microwave absorption property of the La³⁺ doping W-type hexaferrite sample is enhanced with the bandwidth below −10 dB around 8 GHz and the peak value of reflection loss about −39.6 dB at the layer thickness of 2 mm.     

Magnetic resonances spectroscopy of nanosize particles La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Using a co-precipitation method, perovskite-type manganese oxide La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) with particle size 12 nm were prepared. Detailed studies of both ⁵⁵Mn nuclear magnetic resonance and superparamagnetic resonance spectrum, completed by magnetic measurements, have been performed to obtain microscopic information on the local magnetic structure of the NP. Our results on nuclear dynamics provide direct evidence of formation of a magnetically dead layer, of the thickness ≈2 nm, at the particle surface. Temperature dependences of the magnetic resonance spectra have been measured to obtain information about complex magnetic properties of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ fine-particle ensembles. In particular, electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum at 300 K shows a relatively narrow sharp line, but as the temperature decreases to 5 K, the apparent resonance field decreases and the line width considerably increases. The low-temperature blocking of the NPs magnetic moments has been clearly observed in the electron paramagnetic resonances. The blocking temperature depends on the measuring frequency and for the ensemble of 12 nm NPs at 9.244 GHz has been evaluated as 110 K.     

Fabrication and electromagnetic performance of micro-tubular nanocomposites composed of monodisperse iron nanoparticles and carbon

Low density and thin thickness are essential for electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers. In this study, we fabricated a novel micro-tubular iron nanocomposite (MTIC) that composed of carbon microtubes and monodisperse iron nanoparticles (NPs). The bulk density of MTIC is only 0.35±0.04 g cm⁻³ due to its micro-tubular structure. The presence of iron NPs increased the magnetic loss significantly and therefore enhanced the reflection loss (RL) of MTIC/paraffin composite. The optimum thickness for the composite is 1.5-1.8 mm, with maximum bandwidth of 7.6 GHz for RL<−5 dB and 3.6 GHz for RL<−10 dB. The corresponding frequency at this thickness is 10-18 GHz. Because of low density and broad bandwidth at thin thickness, MTIC is a promising light-weight absorber for EM wave absorption or microwave shielding. This study will also provide new ideas for fabricating microwave absorbers with low density and thin thickness.     

Thickness dependence of magnetic domain formation in La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 epitaxial thin films studied by XMCD-PEEM

We have used photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) to study the effect of thin film thickness on the magnetic domain formation in La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ samples that were epitaxially grown on stepped SrTiO₃ (0 0 1) substrates. The magnetic image exhibited a stripe structure elongated along the step direction, irrespective of film thickness, suggesting that uniaxial magnetic anisotropy induced by step-and-terrace structures plays an important role in the magnetic domain formation. Additional domains evolved gradually with increasing film thickness. In these domains, the direction of magnetization differed from the step direction due to biaxial magneto-crystalline anisotropy. The evolution of additional magnetic domains with increasing film thickness implies that a competition exists between the two anisotropies in LSMO films.     

Preparation and microwave absorption properties of Fe-phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe3O4 hybrid microspheres

The novel nano-scale Fe-phthalocyanine oligomer/Fe₃O₄ hybrid microspheres were synthesized from bis-phthalonitrile and FeCl₃·6H₂O through a simple solvent-thermal route. The morphology and structure of the hybrid microspheres were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. These results showed that the hybrids were monodispersed solid microspheres and the morphology can be adjusted by controlling the addition of bis-phthalonitrile. On the basis of these results, the formation process was discussed. Magnetization measurement indicated that saturation magnetizations decreased linearly with increasing the addition of bis-phthalonitrile, while coercivities increased. The microwave absorption properties were measured by a vector network analyzer. The dielectric loss of the hybrid microspheres was larger and a new magnetic loss peak appeared at high frequency. The microwave absorbing properties enhanced with increasing the addition of bis-phthalonitrile and a maximum reflection loss of −31.1 dB was obtained at 8.6 GHz with 1 g bis-phthalonitrile when the matching thickness was 3.0 mm. The novel hybrid materials are believed to have potential applications in the microwave absorbing performances.     

Magnetic and Microwave Absorbing Properties of Electrospun Ba(1−x)LaxFe12O19 Nanofibers

Ba_(1−x)La_xFe₁₂O₁₉ (0.00≤x≤0.10) nanofibers were fabricated via the electrospinning technique followed by heat treatment at different temperatures for 2 h. Various characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and microwave vector network analyzer were employed to investigate the morphologies, crystalline phases, magnetic properties, and complex electromagnetic parameters of nanofibers. The SEM images indicate that samples with various values of x are of a continuous fiber-like morphology with an average diameter of 110±20 nm. The XRD patterns show that the main phase is M-type barium hexaferrite without other impurity phases when calcined at 1100 °C. The VSM results show that coercive force (H_c) decreases first and then increases, while saturation magnetization (M_s) reveals an increase at first and then decreases with La³⁺ ions content increase. Both the magnetic and dielectric losses are significantly enhanced by partial substitution of La³⁺ for Ba²⁺ in the M-type barium hexaferrites. The microwave absorption performance of Ba_0.95La_0.05Fe₁₂O₁₉ nanofibers gets significant improvement: The bandwidth below −10 dB expands from 0 GHz to 12.6 GHz, and the peak value of reflection loss decreases from −9.65 dB to −23.02 dB with the layer thickness of 2.0 mm.     

Large magnetoresistance induced by surface ferromagnetism in A-type antiferromagnetic La0.4Sr0.6MnO3 nanoparticles

Grain size effects on magnetic and transport properties for heavily Sr-doped A-type antiferromagnetic La_0.4Sr_0.6MnO₃ ceramics were studied. It was observed that with decrease in grain size, surface ferromagnetism could be introduced due to bond-breaking at surfaces. With decrease in grain size, the surface ferromagnetism was enhanced, and the phase transition order distinguished from the Arrott plot was a second one. The surface-induced ferromagnetism was insulating as judged from transport properties. With decrease in grain size, magnetoresistance was largely improved for both high magnetic and low magnetic fields. Under a 500 Oe magnetic field, the magnetoresistance is improved from 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.03% and 0.02% for the sample with grain size of 150 nm at 10, 100, 200 and 300 K, respectively, to 3%, 2.3%, 0.43% and 0.12% for the sample with grain size of 20 nm at 10, 100, 200 and 300 K. It was interesting to find that large magnetoresistance could be induced due to the surface ferromagnetism in A-type antiferromagnetic La_0.4Sr_0.6MnO₃ nanoparticles, which suggested that it was possible to search for manganites with relatively high low-field magnetoresistance in nanostructured A-type antiferromagnetic materials.