Hexagonal ferrites: A review of the synthesis, properties and applications of hexaferrite ceramics

There has been an explosion of interest in hexaferrites in the last decade for more exotic applications. This is particularly true as electronic components for mobile and wireless communications at microwave/GHz frequencies, electromagnetic wave absorbers for EMC, RAM and stealth technologies (especially the X and U ferrites), and as composite materials. There is also a clear recent interest in nanotechnology, the development of nanofibres and fibre orientation and alignment effects in hexaferrite fibres, and composites with carbon nanotubes (CNT). One of the most exciting developments has been the discovery of single phase magnetoelectric/multiferroic hexaferrites, firstly Ba2Mg2Fe12O22 Y ferrite at cryogenic temperatures, and now Sr3Co2Fe24O41 Z ferrite at room temperature. Several M, Y, Z and U ferrites have now been characterised as room temperature multiferroics, and are discussed here. Current developments in all these key areas will be discussed in detail in Sections 7-11 of this review, and for this reason now is the appropriate time for a fresh and critical appraisal of the synthesis, properties and applications of hexagonal ferrites.