Selective microwave absorptionin Nd3+ substituted barium ferrite composites

Abstract Microwave (MW)frequency based wireless communications and electronic devices became prospective due to several ramifications. To meet this need, a series of neodymium ions (Nd 3+ )substituted barium ferrite composites with composition (20)BaO:(80– x )Fe 2 O 3 :( x )Nd 2 O 3 (0 ≤ x ≤3 mol%) was prepared at1100 °C using solid-state reaction method. We evaluated the effect of various Nd 3+ ions contents on the surface morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of the as-synthesized barium ferrite composites. Meanwhile, microwave reflection loss, complex permittivity and permeability were determined using the transmission/reflection line method in the X-band (8−12 GHz). SEM image of the composites shows that the surface morphology consists of rough and porous microstructures. XRD patterns of the un-doped composites reveals the existence of BaFe 12 O 19 (hexagonal) and Fe 21.333 O 32 (tetragonal) crystalline phases. Furthermore, a new hexagonal crystalline phase of Ba 6 Nd 2 Fe 4 O 15 with the crystallite sizes between 15 and 67 nm is observed due to Nd 3+ ions substitution in the composite. The saturation magnetization of the composite containing 2 mol% of Nd 3+ does not exhibit any significant alteration compared to the one devoid of Nd 3+ .The complex relative permittivity and permeability of the achieved composites enriched in Ba 6 Nd 2 Fe 4 O 15 and BaFe 2 O 4 phases disclose significant MW frequency dependence. The composites also display selective MW absorption in the X-band which could be useful for diverse applications.