Rational construction of wideband electromagnetic wave absorber using hybrid FeWO₄-based nanocomposite structures and tested by the free-space method

In this research, we developed a wideband electromagnetic wave absorber suitable for the X-band frequency by using a unique hybrid nanocomposite structure made of FeWO₄ embellished with Ag₃PO₄ nanopowders. Simple chemical hydrothermal and microwave-aided hydrothermal procedures were used to successfully produce single-phase spherical-like FeWO4 and FeWO4@Ag3PO4 nanocomposite powders. Using XRD, FTIR, VSM, FESEM, and VNA methods, the phase constituents, morphological, magnetic, and electromagnetic properties of the produced nanocomposite materials were assessed. The resin-based nanocomposite absorber sample allows to obtain a maximum reflection loss of −21 dB with a matching thickness of 1.8 mm at the ferromagnetic resonance of 10.4 GHz with a 3.8 GHz effective absorption bandwidth, which is evaluated using the waveguide technique, when the filler loading percentage reaches 40 wt percent (S40). S40 had superior impedance matching capabilities, a wide effective absorption bandwidth, and a high absorption capacity when compared to other produced absorber samples. The best sample is prepared for free-space testing with the dimension of 200 × 200 mm and an optimum thickness of 1.8 mm, and the results demonstrate a good agreement between the waveguide and free-space technique results. This absorber sample's wideband absorption capacity was attained by adjusting the magneto-electric composition and enhancing the interfacial characteristics brought on by the core-shell construction. In this study, a design approach for efficient microwave absorbers based on a magneto-electric hybrid nanocomposite structure is presented, using waveguide and free-space experimental methods in two different ways.