Chemical silver plating synergistically enhances the contribution of interfaces and defects in the Ni-Zn-Nd spinel ferrite-based electromagnetic wave absorbing material

Abstract

In the realm of absorbing electromagnetic waves (EMW), utilizing chemical plating to construct heterointerfaces is an excellent method for amplifying polarization loss. However, the crystal defects prompted by this approach, which support defect-induced polarization, are presently not adequately investigated. In this study, unprecedented polarization is induced by designing NF/AgNPs Schottky heterojunctions containing Ni-Zn-Nd spinel ferrite (NF) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with vastly distinct electronic properties. The results show that utilizing AgNPs, which have diverse defect types and high dielectric properties, along with the chemical plating process that causes NF surface defects and results in NF/AgNPs Schottky heterojunctions, enables NFA-2 to accomplish an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 12.11 GHz, which is achieved by varying the thickness that ranges from 0 to 5 mm, representing a 162 % increase compared to NF. This paper offers an enlightening perspective for the introduction of interface and defect-induced polarization loss mechanisms in chemical plating to synergistically enhance electromagnetic wave absorption.