Preparation of Superparamagnetic Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ Particle by Coprecipitation-Sonochemical Method for Radar Absorbing Material

One of many applications of spinel ferrite nanoparticles is related to their performance as radar absorbing materials. In this work, we report developing synthesis method through combined coprecipitation-sonochemical routes in preparing Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle from iron sand in Indonesia as a vital raw material. The structure, size, morphology, and elements of the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle were investigated via X-Ray diffractometry and Transmission/Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM/SEM) combining Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The magnetic properties of the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle were characterized by using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Furthermore, the reflection loss character of the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle was determined via Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). From the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the XRD data, it can be identified that the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particle formed a spinel cubic structure in a single phase with the lattice parameter of approximately 8.401 Å. It is known from the TEM image that the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particle had a size of about 9.7 nm and tended to agglomerate. Furthermore, the data analysis of the M(H) curve presented that the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle has a superparamagnetic behavior with the saturation magnetization of approximately 43 emu/g. Finally, the data analysis of the reflection loss as a function of frequency showed that the Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle performs as a radar absorbing material with the absorption performance of approximately -11.0 dB at the frequency of 10.8 GHz.