Microwave absorption properties and mechanism of novel apatite-type materials Mn₂Gd₇.₅Ce₀.₅(SiO₄)₆O₂

Manganese minerals possess a high intrinsic magnetic moment, making them excellent materials for microwave absorption. Rare earth elements, with their unique electronic structures and interactions between spin electrons and orbitals, can further enhance the performance of absorbing materials. In this study, we designed a novel microwave absorbing material by incorporating manganese into an apatite structure with adjustable chemical composition. The material Mn₂Gd₇.₅Ce₀.₅(SiO₄)₆O₂, exhibiting specific microwave absorption properties, was synthesized using a high-temperature solid-phase method. The results indicate that at a sample thickness of 5 mm, the absorption frequency bandwidth below −10 dB within the 2–12 GHz range reaches 1.2 GHz, with a peak absorption of −21.78 dB. Additionally, smaller particles were prepared using the sol-gel method, achieving a peak absorption of −39.75 dB. The primary absorption mechanism for both particle types is attributed to magnetic loss. This work presents a new approach to designing microwave absorbing materials and significantly contributes to expanding the range of apatite-type materials.