High-efficiency microwave absorbing performance originating from sufficient magnetic exchange coupling interaction and impressive dielectric loss

Exchange-coupled hard-soft magnets have been considered as promising microwave absorbers. However, it is difficult to make further breakthrough in microwave absorption performance due to the deficient dielectric loss. In this work, Cu/Fe3O4/BaZr0.6Ni0.6Fe10.8O19 composites with sufficient magnetic exchange coupling interaction and impressive dielectric loss were successfully fabricated. The results show that the crystallinity of Fe3O4 enhances gradually by increasing the secondary heat treatment temperature. More spherical Fe3O4 particles attach to the surfaces of flake-like BaZr0.6Ni0.6Fe10.8O19 particles from room temperature to 400 degrees C, increasing the hard/soft magnetic interfaces, while self-aggregation of Fe3O4 becomes more pronounced and Cu is oxidized violently to CuO with the further increase of temperature to 600 degrees C. Eventually, the sample heated at 400 degrees C shows the strongest attenuation ability due to the common enhancement of magnetic and dielectric loss, and hence exhibits the optimum microwave absorbing performance with a broad absorbing bandwidth of 5.28 GHz at a thin thickness of 2.0 mm.