Synthesis, characterization of polyaniline/BaFe12O19 composites with microwave-absorbing properties

Polyaniline/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ (PANI/Ba ferrite) composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization at different aniline/Ba ferrite weight ratios (Ani/Ba ferrite=1/2, 1/1 and 2/1) and introduced into epoxy resin to be microwave absorber. The spectroscopic characterizations of the formation processes of PANI/Ba ferrite composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electron spin resonance. Microwave-absorbing properties were investigated by measuring complex permittivity, complex permeability and reflection loss in the 2-18 and 18-40 GHz microwave frequency range using the free space method. The results showed that a wider absorption frequency range could be obtained by adding different polyaniline contents in Ba ferrite.     

Preparation and microwave-absorbing properties of NiFe2O4-polystyrene composites

NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by the polyacrylamide gel method with acrylamide as the monomer and N,N′-methylenediacrylamide as lattice agent. The average crystallite sizes of the nickel ferrites annealed at 500, 600 and 800 °C are about 10, 30 and 50 nm, respectively. Ferrite-polystyrene composites were made by hot pressing, and microwave-absorbing properties of the composites with different contents of 35, 45, 55 and 65 wt% ferrite were investigated by testing complex permeability and complex permittivity in the X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz) frequency range. All the parameters, ε′, ε″, μ′ and μ″, increase with increasing ferrite content. The reflection losses were calculated based on a model of a single-layered plane wave absorber backed by a perfect conductor. The composite with 65 wt% ferrite content shows a minimum reflection loss of −13 dB at 11.5 GHz with a −10 dB bandwidth over the extended frequency range of 10.3-13 GHz for an absorber thickness of 2 mm.     

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.     

Preparation and properties of cobalt oxides coated carbon fibers as microwave-absorbing materials

Cobalt oxides/carbon fibers (CoO_x/CFs) composites were synthesized by thermal oxidation of cobalt coated carbon fibers (Co/CFs). The scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction pattern indicate that the layers are about 0.7 μm and composed of Co₃O₄ and CoO (CoO_x), the preferred condition for preparation of CoO_x/CFs composites is to anneal Co/CFs precursors at 350 °C for 3 h in air. The coercivity, saturation magnetization and residual magnetization of the CoO_x/CFs composites are 464.8 Oe, 10.62 emu/g and 2.21 emu/g, respectively. The reflectivity of cobalt oxides coated carbon fibers (1.11-5.12 mm in thickness) is less than −10 dB over the working frequency range of 4.04-18.00 GHz and less than −20 dB over 11.54-14.77 GHz. The lowest reflectivity is −45.16 dB at 13.41 GHz when the thickness is 1.50 mm.     

Preparation of the SrFe12O19-based magnetic composites via boron oxide glass devitrification

Magnetic composites were obtained in the system SrO–Fe₂O₃–B₂O₃ by oxide glass heat treatment at 600–950 °C. Samples of the composites were investigated using XRD analysis, magnetic measurements, electron microcopy, and thermal analysis. It was shown that chemical composition of the precursor oxide glass and thermal treatment conditions influenced on the SrFe₁₂O₁₉ particles morphology and magnetic properties. The composites and powders were obtained containing hexaferrite as single domain platelet crystals or polycrystalline aggregates with a coercive force up to 6300 Oe in the former case and 4200 Oe in the latter case.     

Sol-gel preparation and characterization of CoFe2O4-SiO2 nanocomposites

Magnetic nanocomposites formed by cobalt ferrite particles dispersed in a silica matrix were prepared by a sol-gel process. The effects of the thermal treatment temperature and the salt concentration on the structural and magnetic properties of the composites were investigated. By controlling these parameters, CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites with different crystallite size and magnetic properties were obtained. By increasing the annealing temperature and salt concentration, composites with a progressive increase in the coercive field and of the density of magnetization were produced. In particular, a nanocomposite, with a Fe/Si molar concentration of 21%, obtained by drying the gel at 150 °C and further annealing at 800 °C, has a coercivity of 2000 Oe, which is more than twice higher than the coercivity of bulk cobalt ferrite.     

Effect of Fe/Sr mole ratios on the formation and magnetic properties of SrFe12O19 microtubules prepared by sol-gel method

The sol was obtained by sol-gel method. Then, the sol was dripped onto the absorbent cotton template. The gel was obtained after the evaporation of water. Strontium ferrite microtubules were prepared after carrying out calcination process at different temperatures. The phase, morphology and particle diameter and the magnetic properties of samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The effects of Fe³⁺/Sr²⁺ mole ratio and calcination temperature on the crystal structure, morphology and magnetic properties of ferrite microtubules were studied. The external diameters of obtained SrFe₁₂O₁₉ microtubules were found to range between 8 and 13 μm; the wall thicknesses ranged between 1 and 2 μm. When the Fe³⁺/Sr²⁺ mole ratio and the calcination temperature were 11.5 and 850 °C, respectively, the coercivity, saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization for the samples were 7115.1 Oe, 70.1 and 42.4 emu/g, respectively. The mechanism of the formation and variation in magnetic properties of the microtubules were explained.     

Electromagnetic wave absorption of polymeric nanocomposites based on ferrite with a spinel and hexagonal crystal structure

We have investigated composites designed for microwave absorption based on magnetic filler, composed of phases within the SrO-Fe₂O₃ system, embedded in a polyphenylene sulfide matrix with a concentration ratio of 80:20 by weight. The formation of the nanosized particles of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ and Fe₃O₄, as the principal magnetic phases was achieved via the co-precipitation of Sr²⁺/Fe³⁺ ions using different molar ratios. The various precursors obtained were calcined between 600 °C and 900 °C in air. The electromagnetic parameters of the composites were measured with a vector network analyzer at 400 MHz to 32 GHz. The results show that with a composite composed of a complex magnetic filler comprising the nanoparticles of two magnetically diverse phases, i.e., a spinel phase as the electromagnetic wave absorber in the lower GHz range and a hexagonal phase operating at a higher GHz range, above 32 GHz, a microwave absorber with an broad absorption range can be prepared.     

Absorbing properties and structural design of microwave absorbers based on W-type La-doped ferrite and carbon fiber composites

Sol–gel method was used to prepare W-type BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ hexaferrite and La-doped Ba_0.7La_0.3Co₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ hexaferrite. Electromagnetic parameters of the ferrites and short carbon fiber composites were measured, and reflectivity was calculated according to transmission-line theory in the range 12.4–18 GHz. The results show that reflection loss of the doped ferrite composite is higher as compared to the no doped ferrite composite. Based on the above calculation, double-layer absorbers containing La-doped ferrite and carbon fiber composites were designed, and reflectivity of the double-layer absorbers made of different thickness and composition was calculated. Finally, a kind of structural absorber having excellent absorbing properties was achieved, and the bandwidth of the reflection loss less than −10 dB can reach 5.2 GHz in the range of 12.4–18 GHz.     

Ni80Fe20 permalloy nanoparticles: Wet chemical preparation, size control and their dynamic permeability characteristics when composited with Fe micron particles

Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ permalloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared by the polyol processing at 180 °C for 2 h and their particle sizes can be precisely controlled in the size range of 20-440 nm by proper addition of K₂PtCl₄ agent. X-ray diffraction results show that the Ni-Fe NPs are of FCC structure, and a homogeneous composition and a narrow size distribution of these NPs have been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy assisted with energy dispersion spectroscopy of X-ray (SEM-EDX). The saturation magnetization of ~440nm NPs is 80.8 emu/g that is comparable to that of bulk Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ alloys, but it decreases to 28.7 emu/g for ~20 nm NPs. The coercive force decreases from 90 to 3 Oe with decreasing NP size. The wide range of particle size is exploited to seek for high permeability composite particles. The planar type samples composed of the NiFe NPs exhibit low initial permeability due to the deteriorated magnetic softness and low packing density. However, when they are mixed with Fe micron particles, the initial permeability significantly increases depending on the mixing ratio and the NiFe NP size. A maximum initial permeability is achieved to be ~9.1 at 1 GHz for the Fe-10 vol%NiFe (~20 nmΦ), which is about three times that of pure Fe micron particles. The effects of Ni-Fe particle size, volume percentage and solvent on the static and dynamic permeability are discussed.     

Solvothermal one-step synthesis of MWCNTs/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 magnetic composites

A magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based (MWCNTs-based) composite, MWCNTs/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄, was synthesized via a facile solvothermal approach. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results confirmed that MWCNTs and Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ coexisted in the composites. The TEM and HRTEM results showed a thick layer of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ was intimately connected to the surface of MWCNTs. The saturation magnetization value of the composites was 45.8 emu/g. Furthermore, the probable synthesis mechanism of the magnetic composites was also investigated based on the experimental results.     

Structural and magnetic properties of NiZn ferrite films with high saturation magnetization deposited by magnetron sputtering

NiZn ferrite films with well-defined spinel crystal structure were in situ fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The microstructures and static magnetic properties of the films’ dependence on the partial pressure ratio of argon to oxygen gas were investigated. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that all the films consisted of particles nanocrystalline in nature and the sizes increase as the ratio increases in the range of 10-25 nm. A large saturation magnetization (237.2 emu/cm³) and a minimum of coercivity (68 Oe) were obtained when the ferrite film was deposited in the ratio of 4:1. The complex permeability values (μ = μ′−iμ″) of the film were measured at frequency up to 5 GHz. It was shown that the film exhibited a large real part of permeability μ′ of 18 and a very high resonance frequency f_r of 1.2 GHz. The results suggested that the NiZn ferrite film as-deposited in the ratio of 4:1 may be promised as magnetic medium in the application of integrated circuits operating at microwave frequencies.     

Effect of sintering temperature and the particle size on the structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Li0.5Fe2.5O4

Sintering temperature and particle size dependent structural and magnetic properties of lithium ferrite (Li_0.5Fe_2.5O₄) were synthesized and sintered at four different temperatures ranging from 875 to 1475 K in the step of 200 K. The sample sintered at 875 K was also treated for four different sintering times ranging from 4 to 16 h. Samples sintered at 1475 K have the cubic spinel structure with a small amount of α-Fe₂O₃ (hematite) and γ-Fe₂O₃ (maghemite). The samples sintered at≤1275 K do not show hematite and maghemite phases and the crystals form the single phase spinel structure with the cation ordering on octahedral sites. Particle size of lithium ferrite is in the range of 13-45 nm, and is depend on the sintering temperature and sintering time. The saturation magnetization increased from 45 to 76 emu/g and coercivity decreases from 151 to 139 Oe with an increase in particle size. Magnetization temperature curve recorded in ZFC and FC modes in an external magnetic field of 100 Oe. Typical blocking effects are observed below about 244 K. The dielectric constant increases with an increase in sintering temperature and particle size.     

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.     

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.     

Resin-bonded permanent magnetic films with out-of-plane magnetization for MEMS applications

Resin-bonded permanent magnets with out-of-plain direction of magnetization and improved magnetic properties for magnetic MEMS actuator have been created. The material investigated consists of magnetically anisotropic strontium ferrite particles embedded into epoxy resin matrix upto a volume loading of 80%. Intrinsic coercivity H_ci of 6000 Oe (480 kA/m), residual magnetic flux density B_r up to 4000 G (0.4 T) and maximum energy product (BH)_max of 3.0 MG Oe (23.6 kJ/m³) have been attained due to magnetic-field-induced alignment of the ferrite particles during curing process.     

Plasma sprayed Al2O3/FeCrAl composite coatings for electromagnetic wave absorption application

Al₂O₃/FeCrAl composite coatings were fabricated by atmosphere plasma spraying technique. Microstructure and dielectric properties in the frequency range from 8.2 to 12.4 GHz were investigated. The microstructure of composite coatings shows a uniform dispersion of metal particles with litter pores and microcracks in the composite coatings. The relaxation polarization and interfacial polarization in the coatings would contribute to enhance ?′ with rising FeCrAl content, and the associated loss could be considered as a dominating factor enhancing ?″. By calculating the microwave-absorption as a single-layer absorber, for the composite coatings with 41 wt.% FeCrAl content, the reflection loss values exceeding −10 dB are achieved in the frequency range of 9.1-10.6 GHz when the coating thickness is 1.3 mm.     

A comparison of the magnetic and microwave absorption properties of Mn–Sn–Ti substituted strontium ferrite with and without multi-walled carbon nanotube

In this work, a comparison of magnetic and microwave properties between Mn–Sn–Ti substituted SrM ferrite and nanocomposite of Mn–Sn–Ti substituted SrM ferrite–20% volume multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) has been done. Phase characterization and crystal structure of the synthesized nanoparticles were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analysis approved that the SrFe_12−x(MnSn_0.5Ti_0.5)_x/2O₁₉ nanoparticles were attached on the external surfaces of the MWCNTs. Mӧssbauer spectroscopy (M_S) showed the occupancy by non-magnetic Mn²⁺–Sn⁴⁺–Ti⁴⁺ cations into the hexagonal lattice structure. Magnetic properties were evaluated by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results also indicated that saturation magnetization and coercivity were decreased with an increase in x content and also MWCNTs addition. Microwave absorption properties were investigated by a vector network analyzer (VNA). It was found that with an addition of 20 volume percentage of MWCNTs, the saturation magnetization coupled with coercivity decrease, but reflection loss (RL) increase broadly. Also it proved that with an increase in the thickness of absorption the frequency band shifts from K_u (12–18 GHz) to X (8–12 GHz) band.     

Effect of oxygen pressure on microstructure and magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) film prepared by pulsed laser deposition

The effects of oxygen pressure during deposition on microstructure and magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) films grown on Si (100) substrate with Pt (111) underlayer by pulsed laser deposition have been investigated. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms that the films have c-axis perpendicular orientation. The c-axis dispersion (Δθ₅₀) increases and c-axis lattice parameter decreases with increasing oxygen pressure. The films have hexagonal shape grains with diameter of 150-250 nm as determined by atomic force microscopy. The coercivities in perpendicular direction are higher than those in in-plane direction, which shows the films have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The saturation magnetization and anisotropy field for the film deposited in oxygen pressure of 0.13 mbar are comparable to those of the bulk strontium hexaferrite. Higher oxygen pressure leads to the films having higher coercivity and squareness. The coercivity in perpendicular and in-plane directions of the film deposited in oxygen pressure of 0.13 mbar are 2520 Oe and 870 Oe, respectively.     

Investigations on structural and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite/silica nanocomposites prepared by the coprecipitation method

Magnetic nanocomposites consisting of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles embedded in silica matrix were prepared by the coprecipitation method using metallic chlorides as precursors for ferrite. Subsequently composites were annealed at 100, 200 and 300 °C for 2 h. The samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic properties were measured in the temperature range of 10-300 K using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The effects of thermal treatment on structural and magnetic properties of nanocomposites were investigated. When the samples were annealed, CoFe₂O₄ nanocrystallites were observed in the SiO₂ matrix, whose size increases with increase in annealing temperature. The coercivity and saturation magnetization of nanocomposite (annealed at 300 °C for 2 h) are much higher than that of bulk cobalt ferrite. The realization of adjustable particle sizes and controllable magnetic properties makes the applicability of the CoFe₂O₄ nanocomposite more versatile.