Magneto-dielectric properties of doped ferrite based nanosized ceramics over very high frequency range

In the present study, indium doped nano sized nickel zinc cobalt based ferrite ceramics with composition Ni0.5Zn0.3Co0.2InxFe2-xO4 (x = 0.2 and 0.4) were synthesized by a co-precipitation technique. Powdered sample has been pre-sintered at 800 °C, pressed into toroids and finally sintered at 1000 °C. The single phase formation of the presintered powder has been confirmed by X ray diffraction (XRD). The average particle size of the presintered powder has been estimated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and found to be about ~60 nm for x = 0.2 and ~80 nm at x = 0.4. The electromagnetic characterization has been made using vector network analyzer. High value of permeability (17.3 and 15.2 for x = 0.2 and 0.4 respectively) with low magnetic loss tangent of 10−1 order were obtained. Permittivity of 8.2 and 10, and dielectric loss tangent of the order of 10−2 were also achieved. With the measured electromagnetic parameters, miniaturization factor of 12.32 and normalized characteristic impedance close to unity (1.23) were obtained up to 100 MHz frequency. These fascinating parameters definitely propose Ni0.5Zn0.3Co0.2In0.4Fe1.6O4 ceramics as a substrate material for miniaturized antenna in very high frequency band. Possible reasons and mechanisms of electromagnetic properties for different concentrations of indium are discussed in the paper.