Lightweight broadband microwave absorbers of core–shell (polypyrrole/NiZn ferrite) nanocomposites in the X-band: insights on interfacial polarization

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2019-04, Vol.30 (7), p.6876-6887
• Main Authors: Ali, Nassim Nasser, Atassi, Yomen, Salloum, Akil, Malki, Adnan, Jafarian, Mojtaba, Almarjeh, Rama Kassar Bani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bandwidths; Broadband; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Ferrites; Fourier transforms; Gravimetric analysis; Infrared analysis; Magnetic measurement; Materials Science; Microwave absorbers; Microwave absorption; Nanocomposites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Organic chemistry; Paraffin wax; Polarization; Polypyrroles; Reflection; Spectrum analysis; Superhigh frequencies; Weight
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-019-01002-y

Polypyrrole/Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 (PPy/NiZn ferrite) nanocomposites are prepared using the in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method of pyrrole in the presence of the ferrite. The composites are characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. The microwave absorption characteristics are performed by measuring the reflection loss in the X-band. The results indicate the presence of a maximum reflection loss of − 30.0 dB at 10.9 GHz with a matching thickness of 3.0 mm and a bandwidth of 3.6 GHz for a weight ratio PPy/NiZn ferrite of 2:1 and a loading not exceeding 7.5% w/w of nanocomposite in a host matrix of paraffin wax. The surface density of the absorber is only 2.74 kg/m 2 . The role of interfacial polarization in promoting microwave absorption characteristics is also highlighted.