Full X-Ku band microwave absorption by Fe(Mn)/Mn7C3/C core/shell/shell structured nanocapsules

New type of Fe(Mn)/Mn₇C₃/graphite nanocapsules was prepared by a modified arc discharge technique in ethanol vapor, with Fe(Mn) solid solution nanoparticles as the core, Mn₇C₃ as the inner shell, and graphite as the outer shell. The Cole-Cole semicircle approach was adopted to explain the ternary dielectric resonance, due to a cooperative consequence of the core/shell/shell interfaces and the dielectric Mn₇C₃ and C shells. A remarkable increase in the anisotropy energy led to a shift in the natural resonance frequency to 6.6 GHz. Dielectric losses come from the ternary dielectric resonance while magnetic losses were from the magnetic natural resonance. An optimal reflection loss (RL) of −142.1 dB was observed at 12 GHz for 5.0 mm thickness layer. RL exceeding −10 dB was obtained at 6.6-18 GHz for 1.4 mm thickness, covering the whole X band (8-12 GHz), Ku band (12-18 GHz), and some of C band (6.6-8.0 GHz). RL exceeding −20 dB was found at 6-10.6 GHz for 2.2 mm thickness.     

Microwave absorption properties of TiN nanoparticles

TiN nanoparticles with an average diameter of 15 nm or so were prepared by the reaction of spongy Ti and NH₄Cl at about 530 °C. The electromagnetic parameters of the TiN nanoparticles/wax composite were measured by a coaxial line method. The nanoparticles exhibit good microwave absorbing ability owing to dielectric loss, and the measured reflection loss reaches a minimum value of −16.1 dB at 13.8 GHz. The interfaces between nanocrystalline TiN and the thin amorphous TiO₂ layer on the TiN surface contribute dominantly to the high permittivity and good microwave absorbing properties.     

Electromagnetic wave absorption properties of mechanically mixed Nd2Fe14B/C microparticles

Nd₂Fe₁₄B/C microparticles were prepared by a mechanical mixing technique using a weight ratio of 2:1. Paraffin-bonded Nd₂Fe₁₄B/C composites were fabricated using 40 wt% microparticles, and their electromagnetic wave absorption properties were studied and compared with those of the paraffin-bonded Nd₂Fe₁₄B composites in the 2-18 GHz frequency range and for 1-5 mm thickness. The Nd₂Fe₁₄B/C-paraffin composites exhibit dual dielectric resonance in complex relative permittivity (?_r) and essentially flat response in complex relative permeability (μ_r) rather than showing an abrupt change in both ?_r and μ_r as in the Nd₂Fe₁₄B-paraffin composites. The results are ascribed to the increased electrical resistivity in the Nd₂Fe₁₄B/C-paraffin composites and the protection on the magnetic properties of the Nd₂Fe₁₄B microparticles at 2-18 GHz by the presence of the C phase. Large reflection loss (RL) exceeding −10 dB and an optimal RL of −13.2 dB are achieved in the Nd₂Fe₁₄B/C-paraffin composites from 9.6 to 18 GHz at a thickness of 1.4-2.6 mm and at 18 GHz at a thickness of 1.4 mm, respectively.     

Infrared emissivities and microwave absorption properties of perovskite Sm0.5Sr0.5Co1−xFexO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Sm_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1−xFe_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, SSCF) with perovskite-type structure has been successfully prepared by conventional solid-state reaction as a microwave and infrared multi-functional material. The effects of Fe incorporation on the structure, electrical conductivity, infrared emissivity and microwave-absorbing properties were investigated in detail. XRD results have shown that the perovskite structure of SSCF has an orthorhombic symmetry for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 and a cubic symmetry for 0.5, respectively. The incorporation of Fe in SSCF could contribute to the decrease of electrical conductivity, while the infrared emissivities are increased. Moreover, microwave-absorbing properties in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz at room temperature are sensitive to Fe content. The complex permittivity, complex permeability and electromagnetic loss tangent have suddenly a step change at a certain frequency and the step-change frequency position moves slightly to lower frequencies with Fe increased. The optimal reflection loss calculated from the measured permittivity and permeability is 29.33 dB at 7.97 GHz with a thickness of 2.0 mm.     

Facile synthesis and electromagnetic wave absorption properties of magnetic carbon fiber coated with Fe-Co alloy by electroplating

Magnetic carbon fiber coated with Fe-Co alloy was prepared by electroplating at 25 °C for 5 min. The obtained magnetic coatings show sheet-like morphology and the crystal structure of the uniform coating is Co₃Fe₇ with a thickness of about 0.5 μm. The saturation magnetization of the magnetic carbon fiber reaches 31.5 emu/g with a coercivity of 87.1 Oe. The complex permittivity and permeability of magnetic carbon fiber/paraffin (30 wt%) composite were measured in the 2-18 GHz frequency range. The reflection loss below −10 dB covers the whole frequency range while below −20 dB the absorption frequency bandwidth is 6.8 GHz, and the minimum value is −48.2 dB at a coating thickness of 1.7 mm. Magnetic carbon fiber exhibits excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties.     

Dielectric properties of polycrystalline Cu-Zn ferrites at microwave frequencies

The real dielectric constant ?′ and complex dielectric constant ?″ of Cu_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ have been measured at room temperature in the high frequency range 1 MHz to 1.8 GHz. At low frequencies the dielectric loss is found to be constant up to 1.4 GHz and there is a sudden rise at 1.5 GHz. A qualitative explanation is given for the composition, frequency dependence of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of Cu_1−xZn_x Fe₂O₄. These are correlated with the W-H plot which gives the information about change in the average crystal size and strain of the samples. The micro-morphological features of the samples were obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The micrograph shows that the increase of the Zn content in Cu ferrite increases the grain size.     

Structural and microwave absorption properties of Ni(1−x)Co(x)Fe2O4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) nanoferrites synthesized via co-precipitation route

Ni-Co nanoferrites show excellent magneto-dielectric properties and these materials can be used to miniaturize the size of the high frequency devices which is the order of the day. Nanocrystalline Ni-Co ferrites having general formula Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) were prepared by co-precipitation method. The structural morphology of the prepared samples was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed the spherical shaped nanoparticles varying in the range of 16-40 nm. The complex relative permittivity (?_r) and complex relative permeability (μ_r) were measured using vector network analyzer for all the samples in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 3 GHz. The variation of complex relative permittivity (?_r) as a function of frequency is explained in accordance with Maxwell-Wagner model and Koop's phenomenological theory. The effect of frequency and cobalt concentration on permeability are reported. The reflectivity (R) of nanoferrites is also calculated. The value of minimum reflection loss (RL) is about −18 dB at 2.45 GHz with a thickness of 2.1 ± 0.1 mm. The results indicate that Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have excellent microwave absorbing properties and have a great potential for military use.     

Dielectric and microwave properties of ZrO2 doped CaO-SiO2-B2O3 ceramic matrix composites

The behavior of dielectric and microwave properties against sintering temperature has been carried out on CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ ceramic matrix composites with ZrO₂ addition. The results indicated that ZrO₂ addition was advantageous to improve the dielectric and microwave properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the major crystalline β-CaSiO₃ and a little SiO₂ phase existed at the temperature ranging from 950 °C to 1050 °C. At 0.5 wt% ZrO₂, CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ ceramic matrix composites sintered at 1000 °C possess good dielectric properties: ?_r = 5.85, tan δ = 1.59 × 10⁻⁴ (1 MHz) and excellent microwave properties: ?_r = 5.52, Q · f = 28,487 GHz (11.11 GHz). The permittivity of Zr-doped CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ ceramic matrix composites exhibited very little temperature dependence, which was less than ±2% over the temperature range of −50 to 150 °C. Moreover, the ZrO₂-doped CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ ceramic matrix composites have low permittivity below 5.5 over a wide frequency range from 20 Hz to 1 MHz.     

Dielectric characterization of conducting textiles using free space transmission measurements: Accuracy and methods for improvement

The dielectric behaviour of in-situ polymerized thin polypyrrole (PPy) films on synthetic textile substrates were obtained in the 1–18 GHz region using free space transmission and reflection methods. The PPy/para-toluene-2-sulphonic acid (pTSA) coated fabrics exhibited an absorption dominated total shielding effectiveness (SE) of up to −7.34 dB, which corresponds to more than 80% of incident radiation. The permittivity response is significantly influenced by the changes in ambient conditions, sample size and diffraction around the sample. Mathematical diffraction removal, time-gating tools and high gain horns were utilized to improve the permittivity response. A narrow time-gate of 0.15 ns produced accurate response for frequencies above 6.7 GHz and the high gain horns further improved the response in the 7.5–18 GHz range. Errors between calculated and measured values of reflection were most commonly within 2%, indicating good accuracy of the method.     

X-ray diffraction and dielectric studies across morphotropic phase boundary in (1 − x) [Pb(Mg0.5W0.5)O3]-xPbTiO3 ceramics

We present here the results of comprehensive X-ray diffraction and dielectric studies on several compositions of (1 − x)[Pb(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃]-xPbTiO₃ (PMW-xPT) solid solution across the morphotropic phase boundary. Rietveld analysis of the powder X-ray diffraction data reveals cubic (space group Fm3m) structure of PMW-xPT ceramics for the compositions with x ≤ 0.42, tetragonal (space group P4mm) structure for the compositions with x ≥ 0.72 and coexistence of the tetragonal and cubic phases for the intermediate compositions (0.46 ≤ x ≤ 0.68). Temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity above room temperature exhibits diffuse nature of phase transitions for the compositions in the cubic and two phase region while the compositions with tetragonal structure at room temperature exhibit sharp ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. The PMW-xPT compositions with coexistence of tetragonal and cubic phases at room temperature exhibit two anomalies in the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity above room temperature. Using results of structural and dielectric studies a partial phase diagram of PMW-xPT ceramics is also presented.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1 − x)ZnMoO4-xTiO2 composite ceramics

(1 − x)ZnMoO₄-xTiO₂ (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.158, 0.25, and 0.35) composite ceramics were synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction process. The sintering behavior, phase composition, chemical compatibility with silver, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. All the specimens can be well densified below 950 °C. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, it indicates that the triclinic wolframite ZnMoO₄ phase coexists with the tetragonal rutile TiO₂ phase, and it is easy for silver to react with ZnMoO₄ to form Ag₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ phase and hard to react with TiO₂. When the volume fraction of TiO₂ (x value) increasing from 0 to 0.35, the microwave dielectric permittivity of the (1 − x)ZnMoO₄-xTiO₂ composite ceramics increases from 8.0 to 25.2, the Q_f value changes in the range of 32,300-43,300 GHz, and the temperature coefficient τ_f value varies from −128.9 to 157.4 ppm/°C. At x = 0.158, the mixture exhibits good microwave dielectric properties with a ?_r = 13.9, a Q_f = 40,400 GHz, and a τ_f = +2.0 ppm/°C.     

Synthesis, structural and microwave dielectric properties of Al2W3−xMoxO12 (x = 0-3) ceramics

Low dielectric ceramics in the Al₂W_3−xMo_xO₁₂ (x = 0-3) system have been prepared through solid state ceramic route. The phase purity of the ceramic compositions has been studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The microstructure of the sintered ceramics was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure of the ceramic compositions as a result of Mo substitution has been studied using Laser Raman spectroscopy. The microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were studied by Hakki and Coleman post resonator and cavity perturbation techniques. Al₂Mo_xW_3−xO₁₂ (x = 0-3) ceramics exhibited low dielectric constant and relatively high unloaded quality factor. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of the compositions is found to be in the range −41 to −72 ppm/°C.     

Synthesis and functional properties of the Ni1−xMnxFe2O4 ferrites

Nanocrystalline Ni_1−xMn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0; 0.17; 0.34; 0.5) ferrite powders were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel combustion method, by using nitrates as cations source and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) as combustion/chelating agent. The reaction advancement was observed by means of IR absorption spectroscopy, by monitoring two characteristic bands for the spinel compounds at about 600 cm⁻¹ and 400 cm⁻¹, respectively. The as-synthesized powders were characterized by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The magnetic study shows that the saturation magnetization decreases with increasing the Mn addition, as result of the particle size reduction. The dielectric properties were measured as a function of frequency in the range of 10 Hz to 1 MHz. The real part of permittivity has values of ∼88 at 1 kHz and ∼7 at 1 Hz for x = 0. An increasing dielectric permittivity with increasing the amount of Mn is observed. For all the investigated compositions, both the real and imaginary parts of permittivity decrease with frequency.     

Design of mesostructured γ-Fe2O3/carbon nanocomposites for electromagnetic wave absorption applications

We propose and demonstrate a scheme to enhance microwave absorption property through mesoporous structure with high regularity. The mesostructured nanocomposites, embedding γ-Fe₂O₃ within carbon matrix, exhibit a strong and broadband attenuation of microwave in the frequency range of 0.5-18 GHz, mainly due to the better impedance matching. C-2Fe-900 exhibits strong absorption characteristics with an absorption peak of −32.0 dB at 6.4 GHz. The absorption peak intensity and position can be adjusted by changing the matching thickness of the coating. Reflection loss below −10 dB (i.e., absorption above 90%) is obtained in the frequency range of 1.9-10.7 GHz.     

The effect of non-stoichiometry on the microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of the Mg1+δTiO3+δ ceramics

The microwave dielectric properties and microstructure of Mg_1+δTiO_3+δ (−0.05 ≤ δ ≤ 0.05) ceramics prepared via the conventional solid-state route were investigated. A slight deviation from stoichiometry does not practically affect the relative permittivity and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of the specimen. However, the Q × f value is very sensitive to the composition and it shows a non-linear variation corresponding to a relative amount of Mg. A very high Q × f can be achieved for specimen with single MgTiO₃ phase, which can be obtained within the compositional range −0.02 ≤ δ ≤ 0.02. In addition, a low Q × f measured for specimens at δ < −0.02 can be attributed to the presence of second phase MgTi₂O₅. An extremely high Q × f of ∼357,600 GHz (at 10 GHz) together with an ?_r of ∼18.3 and a τ_f of ∼−50 ppm/°C can be found for specimen using Mg_1.02TiO_3.02.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (Zn1−xMgx)TiO3 (ZMT) ceramics for dielectric resonator antenna application

Present investigation provides experimental studies on cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas (CDRAs) fabricated from (Zn_1−xMg_x)TiO₃ (ZMT) ceramic material with different substitution of Mg in place of Zn (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) along with measurement of material permittivity in C-band of microwave frequencies. The dielectric properties of the ZMT ceramic materials with different x values (x = 0.1-0.5) have been measured at microwave frequencies using Hakki-Coleman method modified by Courtney. The value of dielectric constant and loss tangent decreases with the increase in Mg content. The dielectric constant is minimum for x = 0.3 and loss tangent is minimum for x = 0.5. The variations of return loss and input impedance versus frequency and radiation patterns of CDRAs at their respective resonant frequencies are studied experimentally. The measured results for resonant frequency and return loss bandwidth of the CDRAs are also compared with theoretical ones. The measured resonant frequencies of all the four CDRAs are nearly in agreement with respective theoretical values and the values of input resistance at respective resonant frequencies of the CDRAs match well with the coaxial feed impedance of 50 Ω. The designed CDRAs have broad beam, low side lobe and cross-polarized lobe levels.     

W-type hexaferrite nanoparticles: A consideration for microwave attenuation at wide frequency band of 0.5-10 GHz

The static and dynamic magnetic properties of W-type hexaferrites are tuned to meet the requirements of wide band frequencies for attenuation of electromagnetic interference and microwave absorptions purposes. For this purpose, the W-type hexaferrite of entirely new composition of BaCoZnFe_16−2yAl_yCe_yO₂₇ (y = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) has been synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation. The material is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The complex permittivity (?_r = ?′ − j?″) and permeability (μ_r = μ′ − jμ″) spectra are determined using Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) in a range from 0.5 GHz to 10 GHz. During this study, it is noticeable that the Al³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions have considerable effect on the shape of the nanoparticles. Samples having Al-Ce contents y = 0.2 and y = 0.4 showed large values for magnetization (70.5 emu/g) and remanent magnetization (32.9 emu/g). In addition, more than 99% absorption (>−20 dB) is noted for this sample composition. Based on these results it is concluded that the microwave absorption characteristics of these compounds can be tuned for the required frequency by varying the thickness of the absorber. Due to this reason, potential employment of the synthesized nanoparticles for absorption of electromagnetic radiations at wide frequency band of 0.5-10 GHz has been proposed.     

Dielectric properties of soft chemical method derived CaCu3Ti4O12 thin films onto Pt/TiO2/Si(1 0 0) substrates

Calcium copper titanate, CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO), thin film has been deposited by the soft chemical method on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si (1 0 0) substrates at 700 °C for 2 h. The peaks were indexed as cubic phase belonging to the Im−3 space group. The film exhibited a duplex microstructure consisting of large grains of 130 nm in length and regions of fine grains (less than 80 nm). The CCTO film capacitor showed a dielectric loss of 0.031 and a dielectric permittivity of 1020 at 1 MHz. The J-V behavior is completely symmetrical, regardless of whether the conduction is limited by interfacial barriers or by bulk-like mechanisms. Based on impedance analyses, the equivalent circuit of CCTO film consisting of a resistor connected in series with two resistor-capacitor (RC) elements.     

Printing of uniform PZT thin films for MEMS applications

A flexible manufacturing method for the deposition of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films based on ink jet printing has been developed and used to fabricate a first functioning piezoelectric micromachined transducer by printing. The performance of the printed PZT based transducer was fit to established models to determine piezoelectric coupling and dielectric properties. The piezoelectric coefficient, d₃₁, for printed PZT was between −75 pC/N and −95 pC/N. The relative permittivity was 750–890 and the dielectric loss tangent was 2.4–2.8%. This process enables digital deposition of printed devices with the key properties within the range required for high performance piezoelectric MEMS.     

Facile synthesis, magnetic and microwave absorption properties of Fe3O4/polypyrrole core/shell nanocomposite

Fe₃O₄/polypyrrole (PPy) core/shell nanocomposite, with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle as core and PPy as shell, could be facilely synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole monomers on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The results indicate that core/shell nanocomposite consists of Fe₃O₄ core with the mean diameter of 100 nm and adjacent PPy shell with a thickness of about 70 nm. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄/PPy core/shell nanocomposite exhibits a saturated magnetization of 20.1 emu/g and coercivity value of 368.3 Oe, respectively. The electromagnetic characteristics of Fe₃O₄/PPy core/shell nanocomposite were also investigated with a vector network analyzer in the 2-18 GHz range. The absorbing peak position moves to lower frequency with increasing the thicknesses of samples. The value of the minimum reflection loss is −22.4 dB at 12.9 GHz for Fe₃O₄/PPy core/shell nanocomposite with a thickness of 2.3 mm, and a broad peak with a bandwidth lower than −10 dB is about 5 GHz. Such strong absorption is attributed to better electromagnetic matching due to the existence of PPy and the special core/shell structure.