Preface

Ferrites are ceramic materials composed of iron(III) oxide mixed with small quantities of one or more metallic elements, such as cobalt, nickel, zinc, manganese, strontium, and barium. There are different types of ferrites, including spinel, garnet, ortho, and hexagonal ferrites. The crystallography, structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of ferrites depend upon the fabrication and chemical composition as well as the various heat treatments used during the preparation process of ferrites. Ferrites have unique electrical and magnetic characteristics that are useful for a wide range of technological applications including refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, radio and telecommunication devices, and computers.

The book includes seven chapters that focus on the fabrication and study of structural, magneto-electric, and dielectric properties of cobalt–erbium ferrites, nickel ferrite, manganese–zinc ferrite, zinc–copper ferrite, and graphene-based cobalt ferrite for microwave shielding. It also discusses applications of ferrites as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Moreover, the book examines nanoferrite-based drug delivery systems as adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment as well as the current and future challenges in this area. All the authors are experts and active in their respective research areas and thus this book provides the most current information. Proper references are provided at the end of each chapter that direct readers to the best sources in literature for more detailed information about the subject.

I am grateful to all the contributing authors for their help in completing this project. Many thanks to the staff at IntechOpen for making this book possible. I am particularly thankful to Author Service Manager Ms. Marica Novakovic for her affable and cooperative behavior throughout the publishing process. I hope this book helps readers obtain further knowledge about ferrites and their applications in different areas.

> **Maaz Khan** Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Pakistan

Section 1 Synthesis
