Structural, morphological, magnetic hysteresis and dielectric properties of cobalt substituted barium–lead hexagonal ferrites for technological applications

M-type, Ba<inf>0.4</inf>Pb<inf>0.6</inf>Fe<inf>12-x</inf>Co<inf>x</inf>O<inf>19</inf> (x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40) hexaferrites, synthesized using citrate gel auto combustion method, and heated at 950 °C, 4 h for lossless applications. XRD analysis shows the development of the M-phase, along with PbM and hematite. The microstructural analysis reveals the stacking clusters of hexagonally shaped platelets. TEM image and SAED pattern of x = 0.3 composition shows polycrystalline nature and formed particles observed to fused with neighbouring particles. M − H loops of all samples reveal hard magnetic behaviour and possess multi-domain structure. The maximum saturation magnetization of 55.427 A m²/kg is observed in x = 0.10 composition and coercivity of prepared hexaferrites was found to vary from 0.058 T to 0.390 T. The cobalt substitution has a strong influence on the dielectric properties of prepared hexaferrites. The value of ac conductivity increases with cobalt substitution from x = 0.00 to x = 0.10, and followed by a reduction from x = 0.10 to x = 0.40. The same trend is observed for the dielectric constant. The low value of loss tangent for all compositions shows apt scope for lossless application.