The role of cations distribution on magnetic and reflection loss properties of ferrimagnetic $SrFe12−x(Sn0.5Zn0.5)xO19$

The site preference and magnetic properties of Zn–Sn substituted strontium ferrite $SrFe12−x(Sn0.5Zn0.5)xO19$ particles with $x=0–5$ were studied using both $F57e$ and $S119n$ Mössbauer spectroscopies and magnetic measurements. The results show that the magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy are closely related to the distributions of Zn–Sn ions on the five inequivalent crystal sites provided by the hexagonal structure of the ferrite. Mössbauer spectra show that the Zn–Sn ions preferentially occupy the $2b$ and $4f2$ sites. The preference for these sites is responsible for the anomalous increase in the magnetization at low Zn–Sn substitutions. Based on microwave measurements of reflectivity, $SrFe12−x(Sn0.5Zn0.5)xO19$ is a good candidate for electromagnetic compatibility and other practical applications at high frequencies.