Structural and shielding effectiveness properties of (NiFe2O4/chopped strands) composites for 6.5–18 GHz applications

Abstract

In this research, a mixed oxide technique was employed to create composite materials comprising NiFe2O4-chopped strands, aimed at evaluating their structural properties and microwave shielding effectiveness. The composites, produced through a hot-pressing process with varying proportions of NiFe2O4 and chopped strands, were integrated with epoxy to enhance their shielding capabilities. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of single-phase NiFe2O4, free from secondary phases. Scanning electron microscopy analysis corroborated the presence of cubic crystalline NiFe2O4, without microstructural impurities. The microwave shielding performance of the composites was assessed within the 6.5–18 GHz frequency range using a network analyzer (NA), revealing a minimum shielding effectiveness of − 36.34 dB at 16.56 GHz for a 1.3 mm thick sample. These findings demonstrate the successful fabrication of NiFe2O4-chopped strands composites with tunable microwave shielding properties, achieved by adjusting the NiFe2O4 content, allowing for tailored performance across various frequency bands.