Bond characteristics,sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of Ce2[Zr1−x(Ca1/3Sb2/3)x]3(MoO4)9 ceramics

Ce₂[Zr_1?x(Ca_1/3Sb_2/3)_x]₃(MoO₄)₉ (CZ_1?x(CS)_xM) (x = 0.02–0.10) ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The correlations between the chemical bond parameters and microwave dielectric properties were calculated and analyzed by using the Phillips–Van Vechten–Levine (P–V–L) theory. Phase composition and microstructures were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns. Lattice parameters were obtained by Rietveld refinements based on XRD data. Excellent properties for Ce₂[Zr_0.96(Ca_1/3Sb_2/3)_0.04]₃(MoO₄)₉ ceramic sintered at 775 °C: ε_r = 10.68, Q×f = 85,336 GHz and τ_f = ?7.58 ppm/°C were achieved.     

Low-loss and ultra-low temperature sintering microwave dielectrics of pure and Ag-modified K2Mg2(MoO4)3 ceramics

Novel K_2–2xAg_2xMg₂(MoO₄)₃ (x = 0–0.09) ceramics were synthesized by conventional solid-state sintering method. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, all samples were identified to belong to an orthorhombic structure with a space group of P212121(19). The pure phase K₂Mg₂(MoO₄)₃ specimen when sintered at 590 °C revealed the favorable microwave dielectric properties: ε_r of 6.91, Q×f of 21,900 GHz and τ_f of ?164 ppm/°C. The substitution of Ag⁺ for K⁺ in K_2–2xAg_2xMg₂(MoO₄)₃ (x = 0.01–0.09) ceramics led to the more stable structure and dramatically enhanced the Q×f to a value of 54,900 GHz at 500 °C. The microwave dielectric properties were related to the relative density, microstructure, ionic polarization, lattice energy, packing fraction, and bond valence of the ceramics. It was suggested that for ultra-low temperature co-fired ceramic (ULTCC) applications, K_1.86Ag_0.14Mg₂(MoO₄)₃ ceramic could be sintered at 500 °C, which revealed an excellent combination of microwave dielectric properties (ε_r =7.34, Q×f =54,900 GHz and τ_f =–156 ppm/°C) and good chemical compatibility with aluminum electrodes.     

Effects of (Cr0.5Ta0.5)4+ on the microstructure,chemical bond characteristics,and dielectric properties of molybdate-based ceramics at microwave and terahertz frequency

In this study, Ce₂ [Zr_1−x (Cr_0.5Ta_0.5)_x]₃(MoO₄)₉ (x = 0.02–0.10) ceramics were synthesized using the solid-state reaction technique, and the crystalline parameters, sintering behaviors, chemical bond characteristics, infrared reflection spectrum, and dielectric response at microwave and terahertz frequency were examined. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated the crystallization of all ceramics in the trigonal structure (R-3c space group), and additional peaks were not detected. The densification point of ceramic was 875 °C. The addition of (Cr_0.5Ta_0.5)⁴⁺ significantly reduced the dielectric loss in the host ceramic. For Ce₂ [Zr_0.96(Cr_0.5Ta_0.5)_0.04]₃(MoO₄)₉, outstanding microwave properties of ε_r = 10.66, Qf = 79,436 GHz, and τ_f = −19.07 ppm/°C were obtained at 875 °C. The chemical bond characteristics were also parameterized to explore the relationship between Zr(CrTa)–O and microwave properties. Infrared spectral results further indicate that phonon vibrations lower than 400 cm⁻¹ contribute to 80% of the polarization. In our comparison between the infrared spectrum and terahertz time-domain spectrum, we found that the permittivity extracted by the latter is closer to the observed value.     

Novel Series of Low‐Firing Microwave Dielectric Ceramics: Ca5A4(VO4)6 (A2+ = Mg,Zn)

Using a conventional solid‐state reaction Ca₅A₄(VO₄)₆ (A²⁺ = Mg, Zn) ceramics were prepared and their microwave dielectric properties were investigated for the first time. X‐ray diffraction revealed the formation of pure‐phase ceramics with a cubic garnet structure for both samples. Two promising ceramics Ca₅Zn₄(VO₄)₆ and Ca₅Mg₄(VO₄)₆ sintered at 725°C and 800°C were found to possess good microwave dielectric properties: ε_r = 11.7 and 9.2, Q × f = 49 400 GHz (at 9.7 GHz) and 53 300 GHz (at 10.6 GHz), and τ_f = ?83 and ?50 ppm/°C, respectively.     

Microwave dielectric properties of CeO2–0.5AO–0.5TiO2 (A = Ca,Mg, Zn,Mn, Co,Ni, W) ceramics

Microwave dielectric ceramic materials based on cerium [CeO₂–0.5AO–0.5TiO₂ (A = Mg, Zn, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, W)] have been prepared by a conventional solid state ceramic route. The crystal structure was studied by X-ray diffraction, microstructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and the phase composition was studied using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The sintered ceramics had a relative dielectric constant (ɛ_r) in the range 17–65 and quality factor Q_uxf up to 50,000 GHz and a temperature variation of resonant frequency (τ_f) ranging from a negative value (−62 ppm/°C) to a high positive value (+399 ppm/°C). The majority of the synthesized ceramics were of a two phase composite consisting of a fluorite CeO₂ and perovskite ATiO₃ phase. The microwave dielectric properties were further tailored by adding various amounts of dopants of different valencies to the calcined powder. This made it possible to either tune τ_f to zero or improved the quality factor further.     

Effects of Nb2O5 Doping on the Microwave Dielectric Properties and Microstructures of Bi2Mo2O9 Ceramics

This study investigated the effects of the addition of Nb₂O₅ and sintering temperature on the properties of Bi₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics. The ceramics were sintered in air at temperatures ranging from 620°C to 680°C. The addition of small amounts of Nb₂O₅ as a dopant significantly affected the crystalline phase and the microwave dielectric properties of the Bi₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics. The secondary phase, γ‐Bi₂MoO₆, was observed when Nb₂O₅ was added. However, unlike the Bi₂Mo₂O₉ ceramic without Nb₂O₅ sintered above 645°C, the ceramics with 3 mol% Nb₂O₅ contained no γ‐Bi₂MoO₆ when sintered at 660°C. The Q × f value and τ_f of the Bi₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics were improved by Nb₂O₅ doping. The Bi₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics doped with 2 mol% Nb₂O₅ exhibited the best microwave dielectric properties, with a permittivity of 36.5, a Q × f value (f = resonant frequency, Q = 1/dielectric loss at f) of 14100 GHz and τ_f of +5.5 ppm/°C after sintering at 620°C.     

Low‐Temperature Sintering and Microwave Dielectric Properties of (Mg0.95Zn0.05)2(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O4–(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 Composite Ceramics

0.9(Mg_0.95Zn_0.05)₂(Ti_0.8Sn_0.2)O₄–0.1(Ca_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ (MZTS–CST) ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid‐state route. The MZTS–CST ceramics sintered at 1325°C exhibited ε_r = 18.2, Q × f = 49 120 GHz (at 8.1 GHz), and τ_f = 15 ppm/°C. The effects of LiF–Fe₂O₃–V₂O₅ (LFV) addition on the sinterability, phase composition, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of MZTS–CST were investigated. Eutectic liquid phases 0.12CaF₂/0.28MgF₂/0.6LiF and MgV₂O₆ were developed, which lowered the sintering temperature of MZTS–CST ceramics from 1325°C to 950°C. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that MZTS and CST coexisted in the sintered ceramics. Secondary phase Ca₅Mg₄(VO₄)₆ as well as residual liquid phase affected the microwave dielectric properties of MZTS–CST composite ceramics. Typically, the MZTS–CST–5.3LFV composite ceramics sintered at 950°C showed excellent microwave dielectric properties: ε_r = 16.3, Q × f = 30 790 GHz (at 8.3 GHz), and τ_f = ?10 ppm/°C.     

Sintering characteristic,microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of the borax-added Sr3(VO4)2 ceramics

Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O (borax) doped Sr₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics for ULTCC applications were synthesized by the solid-state reaction. The influence of borax addition on the sintering characteristic, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of Sr₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics was investigated in detail. The result indicated that borax was an effective sintering aid for the Sr₃(VO₄)₂ system and a suitable amount of borax dramatically reduced the sintering temperature of Sr₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics from 1000 to 675 °C. Meanwhile, borax addition prevented the Q × f value from getting degenerated and improved the τ_f value of Sr₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics in the case of ultra-lower sintering temperatures. Novel Sr₃(VO₄)₂ + 1 wt% borax ceramic sintered at 675 °C with optimum properties of Q × f = 19,200 GHz, ε_r = 15.9, and τ_f = 10.9 ppm/°C was achieved in this study.     

Effect of (Zn1/3Nb2/3)4+ co-substitution on the microwave dielectric properties of Ce2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics

Ce₂[Zr_1-x(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)_x]₃(MoO₄)₉ (CZ_1-x(ZN)_xM) (x = 0.02–0.08) compounds were successfully prepared to scientifically examine the effect of (Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ doping on phase composition, microstructures, and properties. The XRD results showed that all compounds formed a pure phase with the space group of R-3c. SEM results indicated that all compounds were compact at 675 °C, and the lattice parameters and average grain size decreased with doping. Performance analysis illustrated that ε_r was closely related to the polarizability, and Q?f was affected by the lattice energy of the Mo–O bond. The τ_f was maintained at an excellent level. Far-infrared analysis indicated that the major dielectric contribution to CZ_1-x(ZN)_xM ceramics was related to the absorption of phonon oscillation. The optimum properties (ε_r = 10.72, Q?f = 59,381 GHz, τ_f = ?11.48 ppm/°C) were obtained when x = 0.04.     

Effects of Sn substitution on the crystal structures,microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties of Ce2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics

A series of Ce₂(Zr_1?xSn_x)₃(MoO₄)₉ (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) (CZ_1?xS_xM) ceramics were synthesized to investigate the effect of Sn⁴⁺ doping on the crystal structure, chemical bond parameters, and dielectric properties of Ce₂Zr₃(MoO₄)₉ ceramics. X-ray diffraction patterns illustrated the formation of the single-phase trigonal system solid solution in all samples. Rietveld refinement result showed that the lattice volume decreased linearly, which can be explained by the fact that the effective radius of Sn ion is smaller than that of Zr ion. As the Sn content increased, scanning electron microscope images showed that the CZ_1?xS_xM ceramics transformed from bar-like grains to disk-like grains and the grain size declined gradually. The structure–property correlation was estimated by using P–V-L theory; the descending ε_r was mainly consistent with the reduced polarizability and total bond ionicity. The Q × f was associated with the lattice energy of the Ce–O1 bond. The change of τ_f value was mainly attributed to the bond energy (E_Mo1–O1 and E_Mo1–O4) and the coefficients of thermal expansion (α_Mo1–O1 and α_Mo1–O4). Infrared analysis indicated that the dielectric properties of the CZ_1?xS_xM ceramics were primarily ascribed to the absorption of phonon oscillation. Notably, when x = 0.08, outstanding microwave dielectric properties could be achieved, namely, ε_r = 10.22, Q × f = 72,390 GHz, τ_f = ?7.54 ppm/°C.     

Structure and microwave dielectric properties of ALn4(MoO4)7 (A = Ba,Sr, Ca,Ln = La,Pr, Nd,and Sm) ceramics

ALn₄(MoO₄)₇ (A = Ba, Sr, Ca, Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) ceramics are prepared by solid state ceramic route and the structural properties have been studied using powder X-ray diffraction and laser Raman spectroscopy. All the ceramics under study are phase pure except BaLn₄(MoO₄)₇ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm). Scanning electron micrographs of the sintered ceramics show closely packed microstructure with phase homogeneity. BaLa₄(MoO₄)₇ ceramic has a maximum density of 4.5 g/cm³ at 710°C together with ԑ_r = 11.8, Q_u x f = 39 300 GHz, and τ_f = −68 ppm/^oC. SrLa₄(MoO₄)₇ ceramic exhibited a maximum density of 4.4 g/cm³, ԑ_r = 11.7, Q_u x f = 44 200 GHz, and τ_f = −83 ppm/^°C at 740°C whereas CaLa₄(MoO₄)₇ ceramic possess a maximum density of 4.2 g/cm³, ԑ_r = 11.4, Q_u x f = 30 200 GHz and τ_f = −90 ppm/^oC at 750°C at microwave frequencies. The chemical compatibility of the BaLa₄(MoO₄)₇, SrLa₄(MoO₄)₇ and CaLa₄(MoO₄)₇ ceramics with silver electrode have been studied using powder X-ray diffraction of the co-fired samples and is further examined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.     

Correlations between the crystal structure and microwave dielectric properties in Ce2[Zr1-xMx]3(MoO4)9 (M = Mn1/3Nb2/3, Mn1/3Ta2/3) solid-solution ceramics

Ce₂[Zr_1-xM_x]₃(MoO₄)₉ (M = Mn_1/3Nb_2/3, Mn_1/3Ta_2/3; x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) (abbreviated as CZ_1-xN_x and CZ_1-xT_x) ceramics were prepared through the solid-state reaction method. Effects of (Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ and (Mn_1/3Ta_2/3)⁴⁺ ions on the sintering characteristics, crystal structures, microwave dielectric properties and infrared vibrational modes were studied in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the formation of solid solutions for all components. Based on the chemical bond theory and Rietveld refinement, intrinsic structure parameters including the polarizability (P), the packing fraction (P.F.) and the octahedral distortion (Δ_octa.), and bond parameters including the lattice energy (U), bond energy (E) and thermal expansion coefficient (α) were calculated. Interestingly, the Ce–O bond plays a major role in the bond ionicity (f_i), while Mo–O bond dominates the contributions in the lattice energy (U), bond energy (E) and thermal expansion coefficient (α). In addition, these parameters are used to explain the variations of the microwave dielectric properties of ceramics either changing the doping contents or replacing different ions at x = 0.06. Furthermore, far infrared (FIR) spectra uncover that the phonon modes provide the major polarization contribution of 68.59% in the CZ_0.9T_0.1 ceramic, implying that the main contribution to ε_r stems from the ionic polarization instead of the electronic polarization. Typically, the optimum microwave dielectric properties are achieved for the CZ_0.9N_0.1 and CZ_0.9T_0.1 ceramics with ε_r = 10.76, Q × f = 85,893 GHz (at 9.52 GHz), τ_f = −14.83 ppm °C⁻¹ and ε_r = 10.72, Q × f = 87,355 GHz (at 9.81 GHz) and τ_f = −8.68 ppm °C⁻¹, respectively. Notably, the CZ_0.9T_0.1 ceramic has a markedly increased Q × f while maintaining a good τ_f = −8.68 ppm °C⁻¹ and a low sintering temperature of 700 °C.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Mg3(VO4)2–xBa3(VO4)2 ceramics for LTCC with near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency

The Mg₃(VO₄)₂–xBa₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics have been investigated to obtain a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). The highest quality factor (Q_f) of approximately 114,000 GHz was obtained when the ceramic with x = 0.2 was sintered at 950 °C for 5 h in air. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of the ceramics sintered at 1025 °C varied from −90 to 60 ppm/°C as the amount of xBa₃(VO₄)₂ increased, and was a near zero value in the sample obtained at x = 0.5 where the dielectric constant (ɛ_r) and the Q_f values were approximately 12 and 55,000 GHz, respectively. In order to reduce the sintering temperatures of Mg₃(VO₄)₂–xBa₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics, the effects of Li₂CO₃ addition as a sintering aid on the microwave dielectric properties of Mg₃(VO₄)₂–0.5Ba₃(VO₄)₂ ceramics were also characterized in this study. The Li₂CO₃ addition was effective in reducing the sintering temperature without detrimental effects on the Q_f values of the ceramics. One result: the microwave dielectric properties of Mg₃(VO₄)₂–0.5Ba₃(VO₄)₂ with 0.0625 wt%-doped Li₂CO₃ ceramic, which was sintered at 950 °C for 5 h in air, has a ɛ_r value of 13, a Q_f value of 74,000 GHz, and a τ_f value of −6 ppm/°C.     

Significant improvement on quality factor in Bi3+/Ta5+ codoped Ce2Zr3-3xBi1.5xTa1.5xMo9O36 microwave dielectric ceramics with ultra-low sintering temperatures

Molybdenum oxide-based ceramics have attracted intense interest due to ultra-low sintering temperatures. However, low quality factors (Q × f) hinder their practical applications. Although Q × f can be improved by ions doping, the sintering temperature is greatly increased. Accordingly, it is still a challenge to obtain high Q × f ceramics sintered at ultra-low temperatures (<660 °C). Herein, (Bi_0.5Ta_0.5)⁴⁺ ions are utilized to tackle this issue in the Ce₂Zr₃(MoO₄)₉ ceramic as a prototype. Density and scanning electron microscope (SEM) results uncover good sintering states, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the formation of solid solutions. Interestingly, the Ce-O bonds exhibit a dominant contribution to the bond ionicity (f_i), while Mo-O bonds play an important role in the lattice energy (U), the bond energy (E) and the thermal expansion coefficient (α). The remarkable increase of Q × f can be interpreted by the enhancement of the packing fraction and the mean U of Mo-O bonds. Moreover, the variations of the dielectric constant (ε_r) and the temperature coefficient of the resonance frequency (τ_f) can be explained by the variations of the intrinsic parameters. More interestingly, a negative correlation between Q × f and τ_f is first found. Typically, the CZ_0.98B_0.02 ceramic sintered at 650 °C exhibits optimum microwave dielectric properties: ε_r = 9.92, Q × f = 110,670 GHz, and τ_f = −19.20 ppm °C⁻¹. Notably, Q × f of the Ce₂Zr_2.94Bi_0.03Ta_0.03Mo₉O₃₆ (CZ_0.98B_0.02) ceramic is about 6 times larger than that of the matrix while retaining a low sintering temperature of 650 °C and a low ε_r of 9.92, making it a promising candidate for ultra-low temperature cofired ceramics (ULTCC) applications.     

The spectra analysis and microwave dielectric properties of [Ca0.55(Sm1-xBix)0.3]MoO4 ceramics

A series of low-temperature firing ceramics with scheelite structure, [Ca_0.55(Sm_1-xBi_x)_0.3]MoO₄ (x = 0.2–0.95), were prepared via solid-state reaction. The sintering temperature ranges from 660 to 760°C. A standard tetragonal scheelite phase was formed without secondary phase. When the x value was 0.95, the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) moved to a near zero value (−2.1 ppm/°C) with a dielectric constant 13.7 and the quality factor (Qf) of 33 200 GHz. The Raman spectra shows that the more vibration modes appeared with x value, which is due to the increasing of Bi concentration and results in increase in permittivities and decrease in Qf values. The classical harmonic oscillator model is used in the infrared spectra and extrapolate to the microwave range. The [Ca_0.55(Sm_1-xBi_x)_0.3]MoO₄ ceramics show high-performance microwave dielectric properties at low-sintering temperature.     

Microwave dielectric properties and thermal conductivities of low-temperature sintered (Na1-xKx)2MoO4 (x ≤ 0.2) ceramics

The Mo-based glass-free spinel-type structure of the (Na_1-xK_x)₂MoO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.1, and 0.2) ceramic series was prepared using the traditional solid-state method at the low sintering temperature (<650 °C). The microwave dielectric properties of the (Na_1-xK_x)₂MoO₄ series were determined in terms of phase compositions, crystal structure (via XRD), and microstructure analysis (via FE-SEM and EDS). The results revealed that the double-phase (cubic and orthorhombic) formation plays a significant role in the entire (Na_1-xK_x)₂MoO₄ series. It exhibits excellent dielectric properties: dielectric constant ε_r = 4 (1 GHz)/3.77 (15 GHz), tangent loss tan δ = 8.3 × 10^?2 (1 GHz)/7 × 10^?3 (15 GHz; Q × f = 2143 GHz), temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) τ_f = ?6.45 ppm/°C, and room temperature thermal conductivity (κ) = 1.76 W/(m.K) for x = 0.1 at a sintering temperature of 575 °C. These make the (Na_1-xK_x)₂MoO₄ ceramic series a potential candidate for low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate applications (as used in antennas) for high-speed data communications.     

Impedance spectroscopy,B-site cation ordering and structure–property relations of (1 − x) La[Al0.9(Mg0.5Ti0.5)0.1]O3–x CaTiO3 ceramics for 5G dielectric waveguide filters

Dense (1 ? x) La[Al_0.9(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)_0.1]O₃–x CaTiO₃ ceramics were synthesized via solid-state reaction. The crystal structure and microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were systematically investigated. Rietveld refinement revealed that when x ≤ 0.2, the ceramics had a rhombohedral structure with an R-3c space group. When x ≥ 0.5, the ceramics had an orthorhombic structure with a Pbnm space group. Selected area electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses proved that the microwave dielectric ceramics had a B-site order, which accounted for the great improvement in microwave dielectric properties. The content of oxygen vacancies was identified through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the change rule of Q × f was closely related to oxygen vacancy content. The perturbation of A-site cations had an important influence on dielectric constant. Specifically, with the increase in Ti⁴⁺ content, the perturbation effect of the A-site cations was enhanced and dielectric constant increased. When x = 0.65, the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of the (1 ? x) La[Al_0.9(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)_0.1]O₃–x CaTiO₃ microwave dielectric ceramics was near zero. The optimal microwave dielectric properties of 0.35LaAl_0.9(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)_0.1O₃–0.65CaTiO₃ were ε_r = 44.6, Q × f = 32,057 GHz, and τ_f = +2 ppm/°C.     

Crystal structures,bond characteristics,and dielectric properties of novel middle-εr Ln3NbO7 (Ln = Nd,Sm) microwave dielectric ceramics with opposite temperature coefficients

This study synthesized two novel middle-ε_r Ln₃NbO₇ (Ln = Nd, Sm; named NNO and SNO) microwave dielectric ceramics through the classic solid-state process. The results of XRD and Rietveld refinement show that NNO and SNO ceramics formed pure phases with the space group Cmcm (63) and C222₁ (20), respectively. The properties of Ln-O and Nb–O bonds of NNO and SNO ceramics were calculated based on the P–V–L theory. The Nb–O bonds positively affect the crystal structure stability of the two ceramics. The optimum microwave dielectric properties were obtained (NNO: ε_r = 31.61, Q·f = 6,615 GHz (at 6.10 GHz), and τ_f = ?455.70 ppm/°C; SNO: ε_r = 34.55, Q·f = 11,625 GHz (at 5.77 GHz) and τ_f = 72.59 ppm/°C) when the samples sintered at 1550 °C. Notably, SNO ceramic shows a low dielectric loss and medium dielectric constant, and the opposite τ_f of NNO and SNO ceramics provide the possibility to fabricate microwave dielectric devices with good temperature stability.     

Effects of LiF addition on sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of (Mg0.95Zn0.05)2(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O4 ceramics

The effects of LiF addition on the sinterability and microwave dielectric properties of (Mg_0.95Zn_0.05)₂(Ti_0.8Sn_0.2)O₄ (MZTS) ceramics were investigated. A small amount of LiF addition can effectively lower the sintering temperature of MZTS from 1325 °C to 1150 °C due to the liquid phase effect and induce no apparent degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. With increasing LiF content, the apparent density and dielectric constant decreased gradually, the quality factor increased firstly and then decreased. In particular, MZTS–3.0 wt% LiF ceramics sintered at 1150 °C for 5 h exhibited good microwave dielectric properties of ?_r = 13.05, Q · f = 119,310 GHz (at 10 GHz) and τ_f = ?59.2 ppm/°C.     

Structure refinement,defects evolution and calcium doping of Sr2CeO4 microwave dielectric ceramics with high quality factor

Sr_2-2xCa_2xCeO₄ (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) ceramics were synthesized through cold isostatic pressing and solid-state reaction. The microstructure, defects, microwave dielectric properties, and the effect of Ca²⁺ doping of Sr₂CeO₄ ceramics were systematically investigated. As the sintering temperature increased, the densities of Sr₂CeO₄ ceramics rose, the content of oxygen vacancies increased, and Ce⁴⁺ reduction would be enhanced. In addition, the Sr₂CeO₄ structure had poor compatibility with Ca²⁺. The major phase could be kept unchanged only when x ≤ 0.1. The reason was that the doping of Ca²⁺ intensified the distortion of the CeO₆ octahedron and induced the structural transformation of the common edges (Sr₂CeO₄) to the common angles (SrCeO₃). With the increase of dopant, the densities of Sr_2-2xCa_2xCeO₄ ceramics increased significantly, while the content of oxygen vacancies also increased. The microwave dielectric properties were mainly influenced by the density, structural symmetry, defects, and the second phase SrCeO₃. The dielectric permittivity (ε_r) of 13.4–15, the quality factor (Qf) of 118,580–52,170 GHz, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of ?58.3 ～ ?47.5 ppm/°C were obtained for Sr_2-2xCa_2xCeO₄ ceramics When x ≤ 0.1. This work has provided a foundation for further research on cerate microwave dielectric ceramics.