Synthesis and characterization of cobalt ferrite composites reinforced with reduced graphene oxide and polyaniline

Efficient microwave absorbing materials are critical for a variety of applications ranging from military aircraft to communications equipment. Addressing the challenges in reducing S-band (2-8 GHz) waves, this research focused on the development of high-performance microwave absorber materials and investigating the potential of graphene in combination with magnetic elements. Cobalt ferrite, known for its promising magnetic properties, forms the basis of these composites. However, the inherent limitations of pure CoFe2O4 led to the investigation of new approaches, including the incorporation of graphene derivatives such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conductive polymers such as polyaniline. This synthesis included combining iron salts, cobalt sources and rGO, optimizing specific chemical reactions to produce rGO/CoFe2O4 and rGO/CoFe2O4/PANI composites. Structural analysis through different techniques showed the presence of distinct functional groups, the morphology of the composites, their thermal and magnetic behaviors. Analysis of microwave absorption highlighted the effectiveness of the composite, especially at 7 GHz, in minimizing the reflection of electromagnetic waves. Also, the presence of polyaniline significantly increased the electrical permeability of the composite and contributed to the effective absorption of microwaves due to the appropriate matching of the composite resistance. In conclusion, the synthesized rGO/CoFe2O4/PANI composite showed exceptional potential as an efficient microwave absorber material in the S-band range. This innovative ternary composite paves the way for advanced applications in diverse fields where attenuation of electromagnetic waves is important.