Radar Absorbtion Performance in the K_a- Band Region of Fe₃O₄/SWCNT/TiO₂ Nanocomposite

Abstract:

This research has successfully synthesized Fe₃O₄/SWCNT/TiO₂ nanocomposite as a radar absorber for stealth technology applications in the Ka-band. The study aimed to investigate the nanocomposite's crystal structure, morphology, functional groups, magnetic properties, and radar absorption performance at a frequency Ka-Band range from 26.5 GHz to 40.0 GHz. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystalline phase of Fe₃O₄ with a crystallite size of 14.26 nm and two crystalline phases of TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) with crystallite sizes of 5.12 nm and 27.51 nm, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy image showed SWCNT as a matrix with diameters of several nanometers and lengths of several micrometers, along with Fe₃O₄ and TiO₂ particles as fillers with a particle size of 46.56 nm, consistent with the XRD characterization. Furthermore, the infra-red spectrum confirmed the presence of Fe₃O₄ through octahedral and tetrahedral Fe-O bonds. C-O, C-C, and C=O indicated the presence of SWCNT. Meanwhile, -OH bonds also validated the success of their functionalization. Ti-O and Ti-O-C bonds stated the presence of TiO₂ bound to SWCNTs. The hysteresis curve exhibited superparamagnetic properties of the nanocomposite with a saturation magnetization of 9.38 emu/g. Furthermore, radar absorption measurement demonstrated that the nanocomposite absorbs radar with a maximum reflection loss of –1.51 dB at an effective frequency of 33.16 GHz, showing a potency for Fe₃O₄/SWCNT/TiO₂ nanocomposite as radar absorber in the Ka-Band Region, inspiring potential applications in stealth technology.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 371)
• Pages: 131-141
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-2nyGhJ
• Online since: May 2025
• Authors: Davin Alana Putra*, Wida Agista, S.T. Ulfawanti Intan Subadra, Sunaryono Sunaryono, Erfan Handoko, Mudrik Alaydrus, Nur Ezaan Khamsan, Ahmad Taufiq
• Keywords: Fe₃O₄/SWCNT/TiO₂, Ka-Band Region, Nanocomposite, Radar Absorber, Reflection Loss

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