Impact of Sc3+/In3+ ions co-substitution on structural, magnetic, and microwave features of SrFe12O19 hexaferrites

ScIn→Sr NHFs have been synthesized via the sol-gel combustion method. The phase and morphonology were analyzed via XRD, SEM, TEM, and HR-TEM. XRD measurements confirmed the purity of all products having the crystallite size (DXRD) of 31–77 nm obtained via Rietveld refinement. The agglomeration of products was observed in SEM and HR-TEM images due to their magnetic character. SEM images revealed the hexagonal-shaped nanoparticles. Mössbauer spectra showed that In3+ and Sc3+ ions are located at generally octahedral (Oh) 4 f2 site. The electron density s of iron ions of 4 f2 and 2a sublattices is affected by doping content. The obtained M-H curves (field-dependence of magnetization) demonstrated ferrimagnetic hysteresis loops at both 300 and 10 K. The analysis of M-H curves also showed that the saturation magnetization (Ms) first declined until x = 0.03, then grew up to x = 0.05, and returned to decrease thereafter. The coercivity (Hc) decreased sharply with Sc-In substitution, transforming the magnetic character of samples from hard to soft. Microwave (MW) properties were measured and analyzed between 33 and 50 GHz. It was demonstrated that the increase of the Sc3+/In3+ concentration led to modifications in amplitude-frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic absorption process. It was shown that Sc3+/In3+ substituted Sr NHFs can be used for developing radioelectronic coatings and providing electromagnetic compatibility.