In-situ synthesis of (Mg0.5Zn0.5)Fe2O4-graphene oxide nanocomposite for broadband microwave absorption in GHz frequency range

We report the in-situ synthesis of (Mg
_0.5
Zn
_0.5
)Fe
₂
O
₄
-graphene oxide (MZF-GO) ferrite nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposite by auto-combustion technique followed by fabrication of homogeneous, structurally stable thin layer (~100-120 μm) of nanocomposite-polyurethane coating on metallic substrate (Al) and its application on the properties of broadband microwave absorption over the gigahertz (GHz) frequency range. Microstructure studies of nanocomposites depicted that small sized ferrite nanoparticles (~24 ± 6 nm) are grafted on and through the graphene layers, which forms a homogeneous coating. The nanocomposite-polymer coating demonstrated excellent broadband absorption properties with absorptivity of greater than 85%. The nanocomposite-polymer coating showed good absorptivity over the frequency band of 4-15 GHz, which has numerous practical applications as radar absorbing materials (RAM), stealth technology, electromagnetic shielding, and many more.