Pr3+-substituted W-type barium ferrite: Preparation and electromagnetic properties

The W-type ferrites doped with Pr3+, BaCoNiPrxFe16−xO27 (x=0–0.20), were prepared by a sol–gel method. The structure and electromagnetic properties of the samples are studied using powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer. All the samples are hexagonal platelet-like W-type barium ferrite. These synthesized samples exhibit paramagnetism and strong magnetism. The saturation magnetization (Ms) increases with the increase of Pr3+ content. The real part of complex permittivity (ε′) decreases and the imaginary part (ε″) increases with Fe3+ replaced by Pr3+. The imaginary part of complex permittivity (μ″) increases and the real part (μ′) decreases after Pr3+ is doped. Furthermore, the doped Pr3+ improves the microwave absorbency. ► W-type ferrites, BaCoNiPrxFe16−xO27 (x=0–0.20), are prepared by the sol–gel method. ► Grain sizes decrease with increase of Pr3+ content. ► Synthesized samples exhibited paramagnetism and strong magnetism. ► Addition of Pr3+ can increase Ms and then improve μ′′. ► Microwave absorbency reaches the best when x=0.10.