Microwave-absorbing properties of Ni0.50–xZn0.50−xMe2xFe2O4 (Me=Cu, Mn, Mg) ferrite–wax composite in X-band frequencies

Ni0.5−xZn0.5−xMe2xFe2O4 (Me=Cu, Mg, Mn; x=0.00 and 0.10) ferrite powders were prepared by the nitrate-citrate precursor method and investigated as a radar absorbing material (RAM) in a frequency range of 8–12 GHz (X-band). The effects of Cu2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+ substitution on the microwave-absorbing feature, the complex permeability (μr*) and the complex permittivity (εr*) were investigated. The microwave-absorbing properties were studied as a function of frequency, Me2+ content, and thickness of absorber. The adoption of Cu2+ and Mn2+ substitution was found to improve the microwave absorption and bandwidth, while the substitution of Mg2+ was found to reduce the microwave absorption in relation to non-substituted NiZn ferrite.