FeNi3/indium tin oxide (ITO) composite nanoparticles with excellent microwave absorption performance and low infrared emissivity

Abstract

► Electrical conductivity and infrared emissivity can be controlled by ITO content. ► The infrared emissivity is the lowest when the mole ratio of In:Sn in sol is 9:1. ► The permittivity in microwave band can be controlled by the electrical conductivity. ► EMA performance is significantly influenced by the content of ITO phase. ► FeNi 3 /ITO composite particles are suitable for both infrared and radar camouflage. FeNi 3 /indium tin oxide (ITO) composite nanoparticles were synthesized by a self-catalyzed reduction method and a sol–gel process. The dependence of the content of ITO phase with the mole ratios of In:Sn of different sols was investigated. The relation between the electrical conductivity, infrared emissivity of FeNi 3 /ITO composite nanoparticles and the content of ITO phase was discussed. Electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) performance of products was evaluated by using transmission line theory. It was found that EMA performance including the intensity and the location of effective band is significantly dependent on the content of ITO phase. The low infrared emissivity and superior EMA performance of FeNi 3 /ITO composite nanoparticles can be both achieved when the mole ratio of In:Sn in sol is 9:1.