Structural, magnetic and microwave absorption behavior of Co-Zr substituted strontium hexaferrites prepared using tartaric acid fuel for electromagnetic interference suppression

Strontium hexaferrites, doped with varying Co-Zr content (x) have been synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion route using tartaric acid as fuel at 800°C. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform Infra-red have been carried out to confirm the phase formation, particle size (average 21.9–36.8nm) and the bond formation respectively. Magnetic properties are scrutinized using vibrating sample magnetometer. Techniques like scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive scattering have been employed to explore the surface morphology, particle size and composition of the nano-powders. Electromagnetic characterization of the prepared ferrites has been done using Vector Network Anlyzer in 12.4–18GHz frequency range. The effect of calcination temperature (500–1000°C) on the structure, morphology and magnetic properties has also been studied for x=0.2 and 800°C has been found to be the most suitable temperature with the best magnetic properties. Increase in doping has resulted in resonance peaks in dielectric and magnetic loss spectra, leading to microwave absorption peaks. Ferrites with x=0.2, 0.8 and 1.0 have appropriate reflection loss less than −10dB and bandwidth in Ku-band, hence can be used as effective absorbers in suppression of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The governance of impedance matching in deciding the absorption properties has been proved by using input impedance calculations. •Co-Zr doped strontium hexaferrite nanopowders have been prepared by sol-gel route.•800°C was most suitable temperaturewith best structural and magnetic properties.•Samples have M-type hexagonal structure with an average particle size of 36.47nm.•Samples x=0.2, 0.8 and 1.0 are suitable for suppression of EM waves in Ku-band.•The origin of absorption peaks: impedance matching and losses has been explained.