Microwave absorption performance of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoclusters at 8.2–18 GHz frequency

The evolution of nanomaterials has significantly contributed to the advancement of smart and lightweight electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing materials. In this study, Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoclusters were synthesized by a facile co-precipitation route. The morphology, structure, phase, and chemical composition of the sample was investigated. Results show that the sample is composed of clustered Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles clusters are composed of tiny individual particles with spherical morphology. Investigation of the EM wave absorption reveals that a composite of paraffin containing 20 wt% of the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoclusters absorbs a large percentage of the incident EM wave at a thin absorber thickness. The sample attains − 48.8 dB reflection loss at 14.42 GHz with a 3.0 mm thickness. The enhanced EM absorption performance can be ascribed to interface polarization resulting from the many active atoms on the surface of the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoclusters. These results show that the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoclusters can be used to effectively attenuate microwaves.