Enhanced microwave absorption properties of CTAB assisted Pr–Cu substituted nanomaterial

•A series of W-type hexagonal ferrites were prepared by Sol–Gel method.•The XRD analysis showed that the W-type hexagonal structure.•The c/a ratio of these samples falls in the range of W-type hexagonal ferrites.•The FTIR spectrum also confirms the single W-type hexagonal phase.•The microwave absorption properties enhanced with Pr–Cu substitution.

In this study, the rare earth Pr3+and divalent Cu2+ elements substituted Sr1−xPrxMn2Fe16−yCuyO27 (x=0, 0.02, 0.06, 0.1 and y=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) W-type hexagonal ferrites were prepared by Sol–Gel method. TGA and DSC analysis of as prepared material was carried out to confirm the temperature at which required phase can be obtained. The XRD patterns exhibit the single phase for all the samples and the lattice parameters were changed with the additives. The absorption bands at wave number 636 and 554 cm−1 in FTIR spectrum indicate the stretching vibration of metal–oxygen ions which also ratifies the single phase for the prepared material. Microstructural analysis confirms the agglomeration of nanograins which leads to formation of platelet like structure which cause in the enhancement of the microwave absorption properties of material. The minimum reflection loss of −59.8 dB at 9.34 GHz frequency was observed makes the prepared material good candidate to be used in super high frequency application. The attenuation constant and reflectivity results are also in good agreement with minimum reflection losses results.