Ultralow dielectric constant nickel–zinc ferrites using microwave sintering

Abstract

Ultralow dielectric constant values were measured on Ni–Zn ferrites prepared using Fe2O3 as a starting material and sintered in a microwave field. Significant differences in microstructure, magnetic, and dielectric properties were observed between microwave-sintered Ni–Zn ferrites prepared using Fe3O4 (T34) and those starting with Fe2O3 (T23) ingredients. Higher magnetization values observed in T23 ferrite are attributed to large grain size, possibly containing abundant domain walls and the presence of fewer Fe2+ ions. The ultralow dielectric constant values observed on T23 ferrites show that this procedure is highly suitable to prepare Ni–Zn ferrites for high-frequency switching applications.