Enhancement of microstructure and magnetic properties of MgCd ferrite via Sm-Ga ions substitution for microwave devices

Abstract

Herein, Sm-Ga ions substituted MgCd ferrite (Mg0.77Cd0.23Fe2-2xSmxGaxO4, x = 0.00–0.20) were synthesized via solid state method at low temperature using 2 wt% B2O3-Bi2O3-SiO2-ZnO glass (BBSZ glass) additive. Sm-Ga substitution did not change the spinel phase formation of ferrite. SEM showed that the grain size first increased and then decreased, while the bulk density displayed the opposite trend and the maximum density was 4.646 g/cm3 at x = 0.10. Owing to Sm-Ga ions substitution, saturation magnetization (Ms) first increased, and then decreased, while the coercivity (Hc) decreased first, and then increased. At x = 0.10, the maximum Ms was 25.33 emu/g, and the minimum Hc was 28.82 Oe. The real part of magnetic permeability reached a maximum (μ' = 56.02 @x = 0.15) and then dropped down. The ferromagnetic resonance linewidth (at 9.56 GHz) was easily influenced by the Sm-Ga ions substitution, with the minimum value of 251.29 Oe at x = 0.10. Hence, the material has potential for microwave devices applications.