Magnetic and enhanced microwave absorption properties of nanoparticles of Li0.32Zn0.26Cu0.1Fe2.32O4 encapsulated in carbon nanotubes

Nanoparticles of Cu2+ doped Li-Zn ferrite (Li0.32Zn0.26Cu0.1Fe2.32O4, LZCF) was prepared by sol-gel method. The prepared nanoparticles were encapsulated by a non-magnetic matrix of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). The formation of pure crystallographic phase, particle size etc. of each sample was determined from X-ray diffractograms and these results are in good agreement with those obtained from the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results of static and dynamic magnetic measurements suggest the modulation of magnetic behavior of LZCF nanoparticles by coating with CNT. The reflection loss of each sample was measured in the microwave frequency range of 8-18 GHz. Interestingly, the microwave absorption of LZCF nanoparticles was drastically enhanced after encapsulation with CNT. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.