Electromagnetic wave absorption of polymeric nanocomposites based on ferrite with a spinel and hexagonal crystal structure

We have investigated composites designed for microwave absorption based on magnetic filler, composed of phases within the SrO-Fe2O3 system, embedded in a polyphenylene sulfide matrix with a concentration ratio of 80:20 by weight. The formation of the nanosized particles of SrFe12O19 and Fe3O4, as the principal magnetic phases was achieved via the co-precipitation of Sr2+/Fe3+ ions using different molar ratios. The various precursors obtained were calcined between 600 degrees C and 900 degrees C in air. The electromagnetic parameters of the composites were measured with a vector network analyzer at 400 MHz to 32 GHz. The results show that with a composite composed of a complex magnetic filler comprising the nanoparticles of two magnetically diverse phases, i.e., a spinel phase as the electromagnetic wave absorber in the lower GHz range and a hexagonal phase operating at a higher GHz range, above 32 GHz, a microwave absorber with an broad absorption range can be prepared. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.