Tunable and wideband high-performance rare earth-doped Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn nano ferrite-based meta-absorbers for C-band application

Abstract

Due to advanced technology, electromagnet interference and dissipation problems in the electronic and portable devices at GHz range are increasing daily. Magnetic absorbing materials with outstanding electromagnetic properties, wide bandwidth, and strong absorption are highly desirable. The present investigation deals with the preparation of Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn (NMCZ) substituted nano ferrites with composition of Ni0.3Mg0.2Cu0.3Zn0.2X0.02Fe1.98O4 (X = Nd, Ho, Pr, Gd, Yb). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a vibratory sample magnetometer (VSM), and a Vector network analyzer (VNA) were used to investigate these rare earth-doped nanocrystalline ferrites' features. XRD reveals the single spinel phase structure in all Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn ferrites. FTIR spectroscopy shows the presence of tetrahedral and octahedral bands of spinel ferrites. FESEM images reveal the lowest agglomeration for the Ho-doped NMCZ nano-spinel ferrites sample. TEM images show the hexagon shapes of the Yb- and Nd-doped NMCZ ferrites. Pr-doped NMCZ ferrites show more coercivity than other rare earth metals substituted NMCZ nanocrystalline ferrites. VSM analysis was used to calculate the magnetic features like initial permeability, magnetic anisotropy constant, remanence, coercivity, and magnetic moment. High-frequency switching field distributions (SFD) analyses were also investigated. Magnetodielectric characteristics such as losses, permittivity, modulus, Q, ac conductivity, and impedance of the Nd-, Ho-, Pr-, Gd-, Yb-doped Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn ferrites were evaluated. The minimum reflection loss (–57.3 dB) is found at 1.4 GHz for Pr-doped Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn ferrite absorber. However, the reflection loss (RL) of –53.9 dB at 2.9 GHz is observed for Ho-doped Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn ferrite absorber. Soft magnetization, low coercivity, outstanding magnetodielectric, and absorption properties of the Nd-, Ho-, Pr-, Gd- and Yb-doped Ni-Mg-Cu-Zn ferrites are suitable candidates for absorption in telecommunication, defense, and technological industries.