Microstructure, electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties of plate-like LaCeNi powder

La1-xCexNi5 (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) powders were prepared by arc melting and high-energy ball milling method. The structures and morphologies of LaCeNi powders were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The saturation magnetization and electromagnetic parameters of the powders were characterized by using vibrating-sample magnetometry and vector network analysis, respectively. The results reveal that the La1-xCexNi5 (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) powders consist of LaNi5 single phase with different Ce contents. With the increase of Ce content, the particle size decreases and the saturation magnetization increases. The reflection-peak frequency shifts to lower frequency region upon Ce concentration. The minimum reflection loss and reflection peak frequency, for the sample with coating thickness of 1.8mm, are -19.7dB and 8.16GHz, respectively.