Characterization of Sr-substituted W-type hexagonal ferrites synthesized by sol–gel autocombustion method

The magnetic and microwave characterization of single phase hexaferrites of entirely new composition Ba1-xSrxCo2AlFe15O27 (x=0.2–1.0) for application in a microwave absorber, have been reported. The samples synthesized by sol–gel method were investigated by differential thermal analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, X-ray diffractometer, field emission gun scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer. Platelet grains exhibit well defined hexagonal shape which is a better shape for microwave absorption. M–H loops for a selected sample were measured for a temperature range of 4.2–400K. Moreover M–H loops for all Sr-substituted samples were also measured at room temperature up to a maximum applied field of 9T. Saturation magnetization values were calculated by the law of approach to saturation. The room temperature coercivity for all the samples is found to be a few hundred oersteds which is necessary for electromagnetic materials and makes these ferrites ideal for microwave devices, security, switching and sensing applications. The complex permittivity, permeability and reflection losses of a selected ferrite–epoxy composite were also investigated over a frequency range of 0.5–13GHz. ► Ba1-xSrxCO2AlFe15O27 hexaferrites synthesized by sol–gel method have been investigated. ► The obtained platelets grains of hexagonal shape are suitable for microwave absorbers. ► Room temperature Hc of sample is few oersteds which is necessary for EM materials. ► The peak frequency of the compounds can be tuned by varying thickness of absorber.