Microwave Absorption Behavior of Polyaniline/Nanocrystalline-Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Composites

A nitrate–citrate gel was prepared from metallic nitrates and citric acid by sol–gel process, and was further used to synthesize Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocrystalline powder by auto-combustion. Then, two novel 15 and 35 % magnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 containing polyaniline nanocomposites, which were named as PANi/Ni15 and PANi/Ni35, respectively, were prepared via in-situ polymerization of aniline in an aqueous solution containing Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 magnetic powder and ammonium persulfate as oxidant. After successful composite synthesis and characterization by IR and XRD methods, microwave absorbing performances were investigated in the frequency range of 1–18 GHz. Results showed the reflection loss of the PANi/Ni15 composite is higher than pure polyaniline and PANi/Ni35.