Magnetic and microwave attenuation behavior of Al-substituted Co2W hexaferrites synthesized by sol-gel autocombustion process

A series of Al-substituted Co2W hexaferrites BaCo2AlxFe16 − xO27 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1) synthesized by sol-gel autocombustion method have been investigated. The samples were characterized by DTA/TGA analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometer and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM). Magnetic behavior of a selected sample was examined up to a magnetic field of 9T between a temperature range of 4.2 K–400 K. The values of saturation magnetization were calculated by the law of approach to saturation. The coercivity of the investigated sample has a value of about hundred oersteds at room temperature which is favorable for EM materials. The complex permittivity and complex permeability of a composite sample have been measured in the frequency range of 0.5–13 GHz. Based on the theoretical calculation of reflection loss; the microwave absorption properties have been investigated. The results indicate that the attenuation peak frequency of these compounds can be tuned for the desired frequency by varying the thickness of the absorber. ► BaCo2AlxFe16 –xO27 hexaferrites synthesized by sol-gel method have been investigated. ► The obtained platelet grains with hexagonal shape are suitable for microwave absorbers. ► The coercivity of the sample at 300K is few oersteds which is necessary for EM materials. ► The attenuation peak frequency can be tuned by varying the thickness of the absorber. ► The materials are suitable for reduction of the electromagnetic interference and as RAMs.