j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2

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journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jmrt

Original Article

Effect of yttrium ion on electrical and magnetic

properties of barium based spinel ferrites

Rabia Ramzan a, Muhammad Tariq a, Muhammad Naeem Ashiq a,

Hind Albalawi b,**, Imtiaz Ahmad a, M.H. Alhossainy c, Syeda Rabia Ejaz d,
Rabia Yasmin Khosa e, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Farid f,*, Hasan M. Khan g,
Tahani I. Al-Muhimeedh h, Abeer A. AlObaid h
a
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
b
Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia
c
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
d
Department of Physics, The Government Sadiq College Women University, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
e
Department of Physics, University of Education, Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan Campus, Dera Ghazi Khan, 32200,
Pakistan
f
Department of Physics, Bahauddin Zakariya, University Multan, 60800 Pakistan
g
Department of Physics, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
h
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 22452, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia

article info abstract

Article history: Solegel technique is utilized to produce the series of ferrite having chemical formula
Received 31 December 2020 BaYyFe2-yO4 (y ¼ 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10). The cubic structure of all the samples have
Accepted 1 March 2021 been revealed through X-ray diffraction data. The inclusion of yttrium content among the
Available online 9 March 2021 ferrites beyond 0.06, it will result into development of YFeO3 secondary phase. The lattice
parameter of samples upsurges with the substitution of yttrium ions (Y3þ). Jump lengths on
Keywords: A & B sites, bond lengths and ionic radii have direct relation with yttrium concentration.
Ferrites The evaluation of electrical parameters reveal that the resistivity, activation energy and
XRD bond length increased with the growth of yttrium. Below the Curie temperature, the
Curie temperature movement of electrons and holes is main cause of conduction mechanism. But above this
Magnetization temperature, the polaron hopping handle the conduction process. With the addition of
Resistivity yttrium, the saturation magnetization value decreased. Coercivity of samples enlarged
with the substitution of yttrium ions. The involvement of yttrium ion in barium ferrite
system makes it appropriate for high frequency appliances.
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC
BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

* Corresponding author.
** Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: HMALbalawi@pnu.edu.sa (H. Albalawi), tahirfaridbzu@gmail.com (H.M. Tahir Farid).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.03.001
2238-7854/© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2
1. Introduction
The ferrites are the ceramics material with Fe2O3 which is iron
oxide as their major component [1]. Technologically they are
very significant materials because of the excellent magnetic as
well as electrical properties, particularly at high also much
high frequencies. These are superior than further ceramics
oxides and metals because of the extraordinary value of
electric resistivity at the normal room temperature from :106
To 1011 Ucm and nature of the semiconducting [2]. Nanophase
ferrites properties depend mainly on the size of particle,
shape, composition. The general Formula of magnetic spinel’s
is AO.B2O3 or also AB2O4, A is ion which has divalent metal
nature like Mg2þ, Cd2þ, Zn2þ, Co2þ, Cu2þ, Ba2þ and Fe2þ (com-
bination of these kind of ion) also B ion which having the
nature like trivalent metal generally Y3þ, Y3þ, Al3þ,Sb3þ also
iron and Cr3þ otherwise mixture of these. Spinel structure in
this usually the crystal motif generally consist to the FFC
which is cubic in nature also closely packed oxide O2 and that
closely filled array in lattice related with the two sorts of sub
lattice, one octahedral with O2 ions and other is coordinated
tetrahedrally [3]. Cell like cubic unit are big, including the 8
formula units also consist of sixty four tetrahedral as well as
thirty two octahedral sites, usually chosen A sites as well as
the B sites correspondingly; 8 are belong to the A sites also 16
are of B sites engaged. Division of divalent also trivalent
Fig. 1 e Flow chart of samples preparation.
1105
cations occur among B and A and also in the spinel ferrite. For
spinel information is that these’re mixed, normal and the
inverse is resolute with his own choice to move along B sites
and A sites. Now days, ferrites are becoming more popular due
to their low cost and their uses in industries as well as in
research products. Here we have tried to attempt the material
for its uses in high frequency applications. For this purpose we
have to attain high value of resistivity and low dielectric
constant of the prepared ferrites. The current investigation is
about the preparation and evaluation the characteristics of Y-
doped ferrite system. The chemical representation of the
system was managed as BaYyFe2-yO4. The samples were syn-
thesized under solegel technique. The so-gel technique is
preferred over other methods because of its effectiveness,
inexpensive and low temperature requirements. In this
technique, the material was obtained by the conversion of
liquid solution into jelly (sol to gel) type material.
2. Synthesis of samples and characterization
techniques
In the previous researches, many researchers applied this
technique to obtain the compounds with microstructure. In
order to obtain the needed compound, the chemicals were
collected in the form of nitrates, oxides and chlorides. These
1106 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2

raw chemicals were then mixed in de-ionized water to make

 
solution. After the continuous stirring of the solution under 1 pffiffiffi
AO¼ m a 3 (5)
fixed temperature and appropriate heat treatment, the prod- 4
uct started to change into thicker form and finally became
 
jelly type material. By using solegel technique, one can ob- 5
BO¼ m a (6)
tained homogeneous structure. 8
The oxides and nitrates of raw chemicals C6H8O7,Y2O3,
The set of relations 5 and 6 was known as Standley’s
Fe(NO3)2 and Ba(NO3)2 were taken from chemist. Stochio-
Equations [4]. The factor “m” in above written equations is
metric ratios of these chemicals were used to obtain the
called oxygen ion parameter. Its value is 3/8. The value hop-
desired ferrite system. The chemical procedure known as
ping lengths on both A&B sites were picked by using the
solegel was implemented to fabricate the system. The
relations;
measured quantities of analytical grade cehmicals was
mixed with deionized water to make solutions. The solution pffiffiffi
3
was made homogeneous and transparent by adding the LA ¼ ao (7)
4
citric acid. The prepared solution was placed on magentic
stirrer at 80  C to obtain homogeneous solution. The pH of pffiffiffi
2
solution was sustained by addition of ammonia drops. The LB ¼ ao (8)
4
solution form converted into gel form when it was evapo-
For the detailed analysis of lattice constant, it is plotted
rated at 370  C temperature and self combustion occurred.
against Nelson and Riley functions. The measurements of X-
The viscous gel was burned and dried to attain fluffy pow-
ray density was completed using the relation [4].;
der. The resulted powder was crushed properly. The
crushed pieces were firstly sintered in furnace at 700  C for 8M
Dx ¼ (9)
5 h. The second sintering treatment was done for 7 h at Na3
950  C. The hysraulic press (Paul Otto Weber Hydraulic In the relation 9, molecular weight is written by “M”, Avo-
Press) was used to obtain pellets of powder samples and gadro’s number denoted by “NA” and cell volume is repre-
approximately, 30 KN load was aplied. During the formation sented by “a3”. The size of grains were estimated through
of pellets, the amount of 3e5% polyvinyl alcohol by weight Debye Scherrer’s equation [5] which was formulated in 1918
was added as binder. Binders were evaporated at the tem- and given as;
perature of 250  C up to 1 h. The flow chart of ferrites is
shown in Fig. 1. 0:94l
D¼ (10)
The PC-APD software attached with the X-ray diffractom- bCosq
eter (Philips X’Pert brand) was used to analyze the samples. Here, the full width half maxima is denoted by “b”.
The angle 2q range was settled between 20 to 70 . The value l The measurements of the bulk density were done on the
was taken as 1.54
A due to usage of CuKa as source of radia- behalf of the Archimedes Rule. Numerically, the value of bulk
tion. The scattering of X-rays happen in all the directions. But density was calculated through the relation;
in some direction, the strong scattering occur obeying Bragg’s
law which is given by the relation as [3]; m
Dm ¼ (11)
plr2
nl ¼ 2d sin q (1) The DC resistivity of the samples were measured through
In the relation, the number “n” represents the bright bands, two probe technique. In this technique, the sample holder is
wavelength is denoted by “l”, spacing between the planes is attached with the two copper electrodes. The area of elec-
indicated by “d” and the angle at which the rays collide on the trodes is about 0.95 cm2. Silver paste was coated on each side
crystal is denoted by }q}: The following relation was accepted of sample to make the best ohmic contact. An electrometer
to calculate the lattice constant value which is given as; and DC power supply were attached with the sample holder in
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi series. The voltage from the DC power supply was varied to
a ¼ dhkl h2 þ k2 þ l2 (2) change the corresponding current. Resistance for every sam-
ple was measured using the relation;
The radius of both A&B sites calculated through the
relations; r[
R¼ (12)
  A
1 pffiffiffi
rA ¼ m  a 3  r (3) In this relation, the parameters r, [ and A are resistivity,
4
thickness and area of electrode respectively. In present study,
  the details of contact resistance is not our concern. The rep-
5
rB ¼ m a r (4) resentation of log r vs 1000/T and its slope provide data about
8
activation energy. The magnetic study compiled though
The bonding length of both A&B sites were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Commonly, for the
using formulation; measurements of magnetic factor, a standard Nickel sample
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2
Fig. 2 e XRD patterns of barium-based spinel ferrites
(y ¼ 0.00).
with known magnetic moment was taken and then calibra-
tion was completed. The sample with unknown magnetic
moment was placed in the pickup coils and subjected to me-
chanical motion in the presence of continual magnetic field.
The sample gets magnetized because of applied field and
produce its own magnetic field. The mechanical movement of
the sample make the magnetic field dependent upon time
which can be noted from pickup coils. The microwave atten-
uation features of prepared samples and their radio frequency
response was investigated under 0.5e12 GHz frequency. For
this purpose, Keysight (Model: 8753 E) RF network analyzer
and MIL-G-83528 B coaxial transverse EM wave cell [16]. A
particular SOLT calibration kit (short open load through) was
considered for the calibration of the system. The powder form
Fig. 3 e XRD patterns of barium-based spinel ferrites.
1107
samples turned in to paste shape to stabilize proper distri-
bution of particles and to achieve consistent outcomes. In
order to make paste, 30 ml of super spray adhesive liquid was
mixed with 3.98 g of powder and kept in the sample holder.
The average density of paste sample reached to 0.298 g cm3.
When paste sample placed in sample holder, the variation in
transmission gave the insertion loss of cell.
3. Results and discussions
3.1. X-ray diffraction analysis
Nano-ferrites having formula BaYyFe2-2yO4; y ¼ 0.00, 0.02, 0.04,
0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 were made and analyzed under various
techniques such as XRD, two probe technique and VSM etc.
The XRD results are used to evaluate crystallite size, structural
morphology and phase. During the XRD analysis, the voltage
is set around 40 kV and CuKa is taken as radiation source with
1.54
A wavelengths.
Some other structural helping parameters like bond
lengths, site radii, jump lengths. Set of equations is used to
obtain the values X-ray density, porosity as well as bulk den-
sity. Choices of sites were also picked from XRD data for
yttrium doped cobalt ferrites. The X*ray diffraction pattern of
BaFe2O4 is shown in Fig. 2. The structure of samples is found to
cubic phase. The samples with y ¼ 0.00 to 0.06 have no sec-
ondary phase. A few secondary phases were perceived be-
tween 0.08 and 0.10. The highest peak with 3 1 1 miller indices
were seen in XRD pattern. Appearance of secondary phases
started at 0.08 and their number goes high up to 0.10 as seen in
Fig. 3. Figure 4 Lattice constant and crystallite size of Ba-based
spinel ferrites. The grain growth hampered at lattice site with
1108 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2
addition of yttrium content a bove 0.06. Hence, the yttrium
ions quarantine at grain boundaries which lead to production
of secondary phases [6]. Lattice expansion and grain growth
within the spinel ferrites may be restricted due to these sec-
ondary phases [2]. Above y ¼ 0.06, the occurrence of secondary
phases is because of the existence of yttrium ions over octa-
hedral voids. Table 1 contains all the measured structural
parameters values. Crystallite size of samples is evaluated by
exploring Debye’s Scherer formulation [7]. The size is noticed
to be decreased with increase of the amount of yttrium among
barium ferrite lattice. Value of lattice constant of samples
dropped with rise of yttrium content. The drop in the value of
lattice constant is due to larger ionic radii of Y-ion as
compared to Fe-ion. The lattice constant varies linearly with
respect to substituted element and its atomic radius. It follows
Vegard’s rule [4]. Numerical values of crystallite size, lattice
parameter, cell volume and porosity were offered in Table 1.
Fig. 5 presented that X*ray density and bulk density were
increased with the addition of yttrium concentration. Their
behavior is similar as that of lattice constant.
3.2. Electrical properties
The inspection of dc resistivity is completed at room tem-
perature with the help of two probe technique. The conduc-
tivity of central spinel phase is usually greater than grain
boarder’s phase. The increment in the value of DC resistivity is
due to the abundance of yttrium ions at grain boarders. The
substitution of rare earth ions hampered the grain size of
prepared spinel ferrites which may be the factor of enhance-
ment in the dc resistivity of the sample. The exchanging of
electrons between Fe2þ and Fe3þ ions are accountable for
conduction mechanism [5,6]. When amount of Y-ions in-
creases in the lattice, it will restrict the electrons and holes
hopping on A & B sites. Thus, resistivity enlarged.
There is strong relation between the activation energy and
dc resistivity at room temperature is shown in Fig. 6. Both
have similar trend of variation. Activation energy goes up to
specific value at which the charges can jump at several spinel
sites. In the paramagnetic section, the samples possess
Fig. 4 e Lattice constant and crystallite size of barium-
based spinel ferrites.
greater valued activation energy while they possess smaller
activation energy in ferromagnetic region. These types of re-
sults are successfully discussed by Turov and Irkin [10]. Ac-
cording to their supposition, the charges can easily move in
the crystal for electron hopping. Therefore, Polaron hopping
acquired more energy than electron hopping. This fact
revealed the reason of lesser activation energy in ferromag-
netic region and more activation energy in paramagnetic
region.
Figure 7 contains various dc resistivity values as function
of temperature for current investigated system. The resistivity
values fall down with upsurge of temperature recommending
semiconducting nature of synthesized system [7]. Ferromag-
netic to paramagnetic transition was seen in Arrhenius Plots.
Point of Curie temperature was labeled by Kink and its values
are presented as a function of yttrium concentration in Fig. 8.
At small value of temperature, the ferromagnetic nature
accepted while the paramagnetic nature is found at greater
temperature. The conduction procedure is different for low
and high temperature. At low temperature, the conduction
process is completed through exchange of electrons between
ferrous and ferric ions. On the other hand, at high tempera-
ture the Polaron hopping is responsible for conduction.
Thermal activation energy as well as hopping phenome-
non for holes and electrons become speedy with escalation of
temperature for spinel ferrites. Hence, the higher temperature
will lead to reduction of resistivity of investigated yttrium
substituted barium ferrites. The presence of minor impurities
in the chemicals are responsible for such behavior at lower
temperature. However, at high temperature, such phenome-
non is explored on the behalf of Polaron hopping [8]. Behavior
of DC resistivity is truly followed the Arrhenius formulation
[9]. Slope of Arrhenius plot is considered to obtain the values
of activation energy for ferromagnetic and paramagnetic re-
gion. The increment in the values of activation energy were
noticed with growth of yttrium ions in Ba-ferrite system.
3.3. Magnetic properties
The magnetic characteristics of specimens are revealed by
using VSM (Model: Lake Shore-7404). Magnetic parameters are
obtained by analyzing the M versus H graph. The M versus H
graphs or hysteresis loops for samples are given in Fig. 9.
Saturation magnetization and remanence are attained from
hysteresis loop and found to be decreased with increase of
yttrium ions in ferrite base. The coercivity increased with
addition of yttrium ion. Table 2 consists of various magnetic
parameters of synthesized samples. The group of equations
used for the measurements of Bohr magnetron (mB) as well as
anisotropy constant (K) is given below [11].
Ms  Hc
K¼ (13)
0:96
Ms  M
mB ¼ (14)
5585  rXray
In given group of equations, molecular weight is denoted
by M, remanence and saturation magnetization are denoted
by Mr and Ms and coercivity is denoted by Hc. Bohr magnetrons
(mB) is obtained experimentally [12]. The values for remanence
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2 1109

Table 1 e Different Physical parameters for barium based spinel ferrites.

Composition y ¼ 0.00 y ¼ 0.02 y ¼ 0.04 y ¼ 0.06 y ¼ 0.08 y ¼ 0.10
Lattice constant ‘a’ (
A) 8.281 8.302 8.331 8.357 8.376 8.395
Volume (
A 3) 567.869 572.201 578.218 583.648 587.638 591.646
Radius of A site ‘r’A [

A] 0.442889 0.447436 0.453715 0.459344 0.463457 0.467571
Radius of B site ‘r’B [

A] 0.72025 0.7255 0.73275 0.73925 0.744 0.74875
Bond Length of A site ‘A-O’ [

A] 1.792889 1.797436 1.803715 1.809344 1.813457 1.817571
Bond Length of B site ‘BeO’ [

A] 2.07025 2.0755 2.08275 2.08925 2.094 2.09875
Jump Length ‘L;A [
A] 3.585781 3.594874 3.607431 3.61869 3.626917 3.635144
Jump Length ‘L;B [
A] 2.927772 2.935197 2.94545 2.954642 2.96136 2.968077

nature, site residence, super exchange interactions are

strongly dependent upon doped element.
Table 2 contains all the numerical values of Mr, Ms, Hc, mB,
squareness ratio YeK angle and magnetic anisotropy. Coer-
civity of samples enlarged. While the overall value of net
magnetization declined. This increment may attribute
because of the reduction in crystallite size.

3.4. Permeability and permittivity

The variation of complex permittivity and complex perme-

00 00
ability ( εr ¼ ε0  jε ) (mr ¼ m0  jm ) versus frequency was pre-
sented in Figs. 10 and 11. The frequency range fixed from 0.5 to
12 GHz. In the entire frequency range, the real part of complex
permittivity (ε0 ) exhibit decreasing trend while the imaginary
00

Fig. 5 e Bulk Density and X-ray density vs yttrium
concentration.
and saturation magnetization decreased with yttrium addi-
tion while coercivity enlarged. These outcomes suggest the
good morphology, fine crystallinity and single phase assembly
of current system. The incorporation of non-magnetic yttrium
ion in the ferrite base is the main cause of high coercivity and
small magnetization values. All the magnetic characteristics
are changed because of alteration of collinear ferrimagnetic
arrangement to non collinear arrangement which happened
due to disintegration of ferrimagnetic arrangements [13].
Various factors such as average crystallite size, surface
part (ε ) remain constant. The permittivity values of ferrites
are dependent upon the electronic and atomic polarizations in
high frequency range. The hopping of electrons within the
ferric and ferrous ions on B-sites is the chief reason of electric
polarization [14]. The permittivity value was noticed to be less
for lesser number of hopping electrons [15]. It provides basis
for impedance correspondence. Moreover, the values of
complex permeability as function of frequency was graphi-
cally shown in Fig. 11. The peak value of real permeability was
noticed at 2 GHz frequency. The reason for this peak value is
the demagnetizing field which is produced by the magnetic

Fig. 6 e Activation energy and Log resistivity as a function Fig. 7 e Temperature dependent resistivity of all barium
of yttrium concentration. based spinel ferrites.
1110 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2

Fig. 8 e Curie temperature vs yttrium concentration of all

Fig. 10 e Permittivity vs frequency of spinel ferrites.
spinel ferrites.

poles among ferrite surface. Thus, resonance frequency rises

materials functioning at greater frequencies is motivated by
with comparison of sintered ferrites [16]. When frequency
the high demand of manipulation of electromagnetic waves
increased from 2 GHz to 12 GHz, the m0 value faintly decreased.
for reduction of radar signs and for wireless telecommunica-
This provide promising basis for the matching of microwave
tion techniques similar stealth technology. The modifications
surface impedance as the wavelength of microwave absorber
in electromagnetic features of material are based upon choice
reduced with rise of frequency value. A poor frequency
of occupancy of RE ions and Fe ions along the divalent ions
dispersion mechanism was accepted for the magnetic spectra
[19,20].
of “m0 ” as displayed in Fig. 11. Such a trend of variation can be
easily understood by given data [17,18]. Modern electronic and 3.6. Microwave absorption
telecommunication system is based on the functioning at
higher frequencies. So, the spinel ferrites demand decreased The following formula is used to derive the normalized input
for these high frequency appliances because of limitations of impedance (Zin) of metal backed microwave absorption
existence of their intrinsic ferromagnetic matching at 1 GHz coating [21].
frequency. These high frequency devices increased the pref-
rffiffiffiffiffi  rffiffiffiffiffi 
erence of hexaferrites over the spinel ferrites and raised the mr 2pft εr
Zin ¼ Zo tanh j (4a)
demand of materials which can work properly in microwave εr c mr
frequency range. The development of microwave absorbing

Fig. 9 e MH loops of all Ba-based spinel ferrites. Fig. 11 e Permeability vs frequency of spinel ferrites.
 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2 1111

Table 2 e Different magnetic parameters for yttrium substituted barium-based Spinel Ferrites.
y Hc [Oe] Ms [emu/g] Mr [emu/g] Mr/Ms nB [mB] Y-k Angles [degree] K1  103 [erg/g]
0.00 135.9 38.3 9.63 0.2514 0.38 26.29 5.514
0.02 179.2 36.5 9.45 0.2589 0.36 29.16 7.159
0.04 234.4 35.4 9.43 0.2663 0.33 31.97 8.171
0.06 251.62 30.6 9.36 0.3058 0.29 34.49 8.107
0.08 282.65 28.5 9.23 0.3238 0.28 36 8.653
0.10 298.72 19.31 9.09 0.4707 0.17 39.9 8.721

In this formula, ‘h’ and ‘t’ are thicknesses of absorber and
sample respectively, mr and εr are the relative permeability and
permittivity respectively and ‘c’ is speed of light. Referring to
the transmission line theory, the reflection coefficient RL (dB)
of electromagnetic wave under normal wave frequency at
surface of single layer substance backed by ideal conductor
can be written as [22,23].
 
Zo  Zin
RLðdbÞ ¼ 20log 10
Zo þ Zin
the thickness inversely related to frequency. So, the peak
frequency has been moved towards less frequency band [25].
The reflection loss has sturdy dependency upon the sample’s
thickness. Same trend of alteration in these factor was re-
ported for the case of U-type hexaferrites [26,27]. Such varia-
tions showed that the attenuation peak frequency of samples
can restrained properly by varying thickness of materials. The
results showed the smaller loss and greater absorption value
(5a) for 3-mm sample.

Here, Zo ¼ 120 p.
The thickness dependency of RL for the ferrite system was
examined. formulas 2 and 3 were applied to calculate the
theoretical reflection loss for all the samples. The reflection
loss with respect to frequency of SrTbyFe2-yO4 system along
layer thickness was varied from 2 mm to 3 mm as given in
Fig. 12. The RL peak shifted towards smaller frequency areas
with growing thickness. Therefore, the width of absorption
band and peak value increased initially and then reduced. The
calculations of reflection loss was done under the values of
thickness (tm) and written as formulation [24].
la c
tm ¼ ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
4 4f εr mr
Where, f is the incident frequency and la represents wave-
length inside the absorber. The above formula showed that
4. Conclusion
Solegel technique is utilized to produce of series of ferrite
having chemical formula BaYyFe2-yO4. The cubic structure of
all the specimens have been revealed through XRD data. The
inclusion of yttrium content among the ferrites beyond 0.06, it
will result into development of YFeO3 secondary phase. The
generation of secondary phases above 0.06 yttrium content
shows the solubility limit of certain sample. The evaluation of
electrical parameters reveal that the resistivity, activation
energy and bond length upsurge with growth of yttrium.
(6a) However, the electrical resistivity reduced when temperature
surges indicating semiconductor behavior. Trend of variation
of activation energy is just similar to that of resistivity with
yttrium addition. The value of Curie temperature dropped
from 534.76 K to 476.2 K. The drop in the value of Curie tem-
perature is because of variation of Fe3þ O  Fe3þ and
Fe3þ Fe3þ angles. Coercivity of samples enlarged. While the
overall value of net magnetization declined. This increment
may attributed because of the reduction in crystallite size. The
involvement of Y- ion in barium ferrite system make it
appropriate for high frequency appliances.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing

financial interests or personal relationships that could have
appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgement

This research was funded by the Deanship of Scientific

Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Fig. 12 e Insertion loss vs frequency of spinel ferrites. through the Fast-track Research Funding Program.
1112 j o u r n a l o f m a t e r i a l s r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n o l o g y 2 0 2 1 ; 1 2 : 1 1 0 4 e1 1 1 2

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