Advances in the Field of Ferrites Over the Last Decade: Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging Applications

Abstract

Ferrites, a structurally diverse family of iron-oxide-based magnetic ceramics, have experienced a remarkable renaissance over the past decade, driven by growing demands across energy technology, biomedicine, environmental remediation, and high-frequency electronics. This review surveys the major advances recorded between 2014 and 2024, covering developments in spinel, hexagonal, and garnet ferrite systems. We highlight breakthroughs in nanostructure engineering, cation substitution strategies, and green synthesis protocols, as well as their impact on electromagnetic wave absorption, lithium-ion battery anodes, photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, and targeted drug delivery. Emerging frontiers such as room-temperature multiferroic composites, magnonic devices, and machine-learning-guided compositional design are discussed. Together, these developments underscore that ferrite research remains one of the most fertile and practically consequential domains within the broader landscape of functional materials science.