A Study to Investigate the Influence of $\gamma$ Radiation on Microwave Absorption Characteristics of Barium Titanate/Exfoliated Graphite Nanocomposite

Gamma radiation has the potential to induce changes in the properties of materials, affecting aspects like their morphology and conductivity, which in turn influence their microwave absorption properties. The utilization of absorbing materials is crucial in mitigating the impact of electromagnetic (EM) pollution. Nonetheless, achieving a high level of absorption, a broad bandwidth, and maintaining a thin coating thickness remains a formidable challenge. This study introduces an innovative approach to create an ultra-thin, wideband microwave absorber using a γ-irradiated nanocomposite of barium titanate and exfoliated graphite (BT/EG 10 kGy). To achieve this, BT is synthesized through a straightforward and scalable solid-state method, with the addition of 1 wt% EG. Subsequently, the composite undergoes γ-radiation exposure at a dose of 10 kGy. We conducted measurements of the complex permittivity and permeability of the BT/EG 10 kGy sample in 2 - 18 GHz range. The study also explores the impact of grain size and EM parameters on the microwave absorption characteristics due to γ-irradiation. Remarkably, the BT/EG 10 kGy sample exhibits an impressive absorption bandwidth of 10 GHz, spanning from 6.6 to 16.6 GHz. What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the ultra-thin thickness of 1.5 mm. The combination of this wide absorption bandwidth, minimal coating thickness, and the straightforward fabrication process employed in this study positions the BT/EG 10 kGy sample as a highly promising candidate for efficient MAM.