Complex permittivity, complex permeability and microwave absorption properties of ferrite–paraffin polymer composites

We have investigated the electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of CoxMn1−xFe2O4 spinel ferrite (where x=0.0, 0.5 and 1.0) nanoparticles (NPs)/paraffin nanocomposite material at 8–20 GHz. CoxMn1−xFe2O4 NPs have been synthesized by cetyltrimethylammonium assisted hydrothermal route using NaOH. A variation in complex dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability at room temperature with frequency in the range 8–20 GHz has been studied. Particles showed phase purity and crystallinity in powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. At the same time, CoxMn1−xFe2O4 NPs demonstrated a spinel cubic structure from XRD results. A reflection loss of −46.60 dB was found at 10.5 GHz for an absorber thickness of 2 mm. CoxMn1−xFe2O4 may be attractive candidates for EM wave absorption materials.

► Electromagnetic characteristics of Co–Mn spinel ferrite nanoparticles/paraffin nanocomposite material at 8–20 GHz.
► Spinel ferrites have been synthesized by cetyltrimethylammonium assisted hydrothermal route using NaOH.
► Microwave absorber using synthesized composite has been successfully demonstrated for a maximum reflection loss of −46.60 dB in a sample thickness of 2 mm.