Electromagnetic characterization of Ni0.5Zn0.3Co0.2Fe2O4 bulk ceramics in the 1MHz-12GHz frequency range

Abstract

In this paper, NiZnCo ferrite was produced by solid state synthesis, calcination at 1000?C and sintering at 1250?C in air atmosphere. The microstructure and phases of the sintered sample were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The magnetic properties of the ferrite were evaluated by magnetization and magnetostriction measurements. The complex magnetic permeability and complex permittivity were also measured between 1MHz-12GHz and the reflection loss (RL) was calculated in the 100MHz-12GHz frequency range. The results show that the ferrite sample presents magnetostrictive behaviour and a saturation magnetization of 71 Am2/kg. Complex permittivity measurements indicate that the material has dielectric behaviour in the whole frequency range studied, with "? varying between 7-40, and magnetic behaviour in frequencies between 1MHz-5GHz. The minimum RL was found at frequencies between 2.4-3.3GHz and the calculated RL value for a thickness of 3mm was lower than ?10 dB in frequencies between 2.3-7.3GHz. These results indicate potential application as microwave absorber in the S band.