Microwave absorption characteristics of carbon foam decorated with BaFe12O19 and Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 magnetic composite in X-band frequency

Abstract

BaFe12O19/Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 (H/S) as magnetic composite powder and subsequently carbon foam decorated with BaFe12O19/Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 (H/S@CF) nanocomposites were prepared using one-step sol–gel and dip coating methods, respectively. Phase structures, morphology, magnetic and electromagnetic properties were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and vector network analyzer (VNA) respectively. According to the results, through XRD analysis, presence of pure barium hexaferrite, spinel ferrite and carbon are revealed. Rietveld refinement was also done to evaluate the phases in the prepared nanocomposites. FESEM analysis depicted the honey comb like structure of H/S@CF sample. Based on electromagnetic measurements, smooth and continuous behavior for permittivity and permeability of H/S@CF composite revealed strong interfacial polarization and migration of charges in the direction of field. The minimum reflection loss of H/S@CF nanocomposite was − 45 dB at a matching frequency of 12.4 GHz, and the effective bandwidth under − 10 dB was 4 GHz with a thickness of 2 mm. The excellent microwave absorption performances of H/S@CF nanocomposite may be ascribed because of the less dielectric, magnetic losses and high dielectric properties. H/S@CF nanocomposite is expected to be a suitable candidate for aeronautic and aerospace fields because of low cost, lightweight and better microwave absorbing material.