β-Phase improved Mn-Zn-Cu-ferrite-PVDF nanocomposite film: A metamaterial for enhanced microwave absorption

Magnetic nanoparticles embedded poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposite films with different weight percentages of Mn-Zn-Cu-ferrite (MZCF) nano-fillers were prepared by solution casting method. The structural, morphological, magnetic, dielectric and microwave absorption properties of all the MZCF-PVDF nanocomposite films were studied. Experimental observations reveal the enhancement of the electroactive beta-phase of PVDF by the modification of internal structure of the PVDF. Variation of magnetization with magnetic field reveals the presence of magnetic ordering and high magnetic moment in the MZCF-PVDF nanocomposite films. Variation of dielectric properties shows the significant modulation of dielectric response of the MZCF-PVDF nanocomposite films. High value of reflection losses of the nanocomposite films within the range of 8-18 GHz was observed and large reflection loss makes the sample most suitable one for the applications in microwave devices. The present work also suggests that these nanocomposite films would be very useful as Radar absorbing material for EMI shielding applications.