Facile synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄/reduced graphene oxide nanohybrids for enhanced microwave absorption properties

Highlights: • ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with a small diameter are uniformly anchored on RGO surface. • A strong interfacial bonding was formed between ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and RGO. • The minimum RL of ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids is −29.3 dB at 16.7 GHz and 1.6 mm. • ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids show great promise as a microwave absorption material. - Abstract: The nanohybrids composed of ZnFe₂O₄ and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal strategy. The morphology and structure of ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. RGO content was also determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirm the formation of nanohybrids with a content of 20.4 wt% RGO and extensive interfaces between small-diameter ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and RGO sheets. The magnetic properties and electromagnetic parameters of ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids were measured and the microwave absorption properties were investigated. ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids exhibit the advantages of thin matching thickness and strong absorption at high frequency bands. It is demonstrated that ZnFe₂O₄/RGO nanohybrids can be a powerful candidate in the field of microwave absorption