Magnetic and thermal expansion properties of chromium-substituted lithium ferrite

The structure, magnetic, and thermal expansion properties of chromium-substituted lithium ferrite have been investigated. The lattice constant (Å) decreases linearly as a (x) = 8.32366 − 0.04338x for Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xCr_xO₄ (x = 0.0–1.0). When increasing Cr content, the initial permeability decreased gradually. The average thermal expansion coefficient of Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xCr_xO₄ (x = 0.0–1.0) varied from 15.34 to 17.77 ppm/°C, with increasing Cr content, the average thermal expansion coefficient decreased. The average thermal expansion coefficient (ppm/°C) in the range of 25–850 °C give the polynomial correlation as follows, TEC (x) = 1 7.775 − 0.216x − 0.723x² − 1.493x³ for Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xCr_xO₄ (x = 0.0–1.0).     

Adjustable dielectric properties of Li2CuxZn1−xTi3O8 (x=0 to 1) ceramics with low sintering temperature

Single-phase dielectric ceramics Li₂Cu_xZn_1−xTi₃O₈ (x=0–1) were synthesized by the conventional solid-state ceramic route. All the solid solutions adopted Li₂MTi₃O₈ cubic spinel structure in which Li/M and Ti show 1:3 order in octahedral sites whereas Li and M are distributed randomly in tetrahedral sites with the degree of Li/M cation mixing varying from 0.5 to 0.3. The substitution of Cu for Zn effectively lowered the sintering temperatures of the ceramics from 1050 to 850 °C and significantly affected the dielectric properties. As x increased from 0 to 0.5, τ_f gradually increased while the dielectric constant (ε_r) and quality factor value (Q×f) gradually decreased, and a near-zero τ_f of 1.6 ppm/°C with ε_r of 25.2, Q×f of 32,100 GHz could be achieved for Li₂Cu_0.1Zn_0.9Ti₃O₈ ceramic sintered at 950 °C, which make it become an attractive promising candidate for LTCC application. As x increases from 0.5 to 1, the dielectric loss significantly increases with AC conductivity increasing up to 2.3×10⁻⁴ S/cm (at 1 MHz).     

Structural,magnetic and dielectric behavior of Mg1−xCaxNiyFe2−yO4 nano-ferrites synthesized by the micro-emulsion method

Ca–Ni co-substituted samples of nanocrystalline spinel ferrites with chemical formula Mg_1−xCa_xNi_yFe_2−y O₄ (x=0.0–0.6, y=0.0–1.2) were synthesized by the micro-emulsion method and were annealed at 700 °C for 7 h. The synthesized samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and dielectric measurements. The XRD and FTIR analysis reveals that single phase samples can be achieved by substituting Ca and Ni ions at Mg and Fe sites respectively in cubic spinel nano-ferrites. The crystallite size of the synthesized samples was found in the range 29–45 nm. The saturation magnetization (M_s) increases from 9.84 to 24.99 emu/g up to x=0.2, y=0.4 and then decreases, while the coercivity (H_c) increases continuously from 94 to 153 Oe with the increase in dopants concentration. The dielectric properties of these nano materials were also studied at room temperature in the frequency range 100 MHz to 3 GHz. The dielectric parameters were found to decrease with the increased Ca–Ni concentration. Further the peaking behavior was observed beyond 1.5 GHz. The frequency dependent dielectric properties of all the samples have been explained qualitatively on the basis of the Maxwell–Wagner two-layer model according to Koop's phenomenological theory. The enhanced magnetic parameters and reduced dielectric properties make the synthesized materials suitable for switching and high frequency applications, respectively.     

Microwave dielectric properties of BaO-2(1 − x)ZnO-xNd2O3-4TiO2 (x = 0-1.0) ceramics

Microwave dielectric properties of (1 − x)BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁-xBaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂ (x = 0-1.0) ceramics were investigated by the solid-state reaction with the purpose of finding a microwave ceramics with high dielectric constant (?_r), high quality factor (Q × f) and low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f). A two phase system BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁-BaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂ was formed and SEM photographs show equiaxed BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁ grains and columnar BaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂ grains. The microwave dielectric properties were strongly determined by the chemical composition. As increasing x from 0 to 1.0, the phase composition varied from pure BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁, to the two phase system BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁-BaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂ and then to pure BaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂. Therefore, the ?_r raised from 29.1 to 82.0 and the Q × f values decreased from 54,630 GHz to 8110 GHz, and the τ_f values increased from −29 ppm/°C to 94 ppm/°C. 0.8BaZn₂Ti₄O₁₁-0.2BaNd₂Ti₄O₁₂ ceramics sintered at 1250 °C for 2.5 h had ?_r = 39.1, Q × f = 37,850 GHz and τ_f = −9 ppm/ °C.     

Phase equilibria and dielectric properties of Bi3+(5/2)xMg2−xNb3–(3/2)xO14−x cubic pyrochlores

Subsolidus pyrochlores with the proposed formula, Bi_3+(5/2)xMg_2−xNb_3−(3/2)xO_14−x (0.14≤x≤0.22) were successfully synthesised at the firing temperature of 1025 °C using conventional solid-state reaction. The excess Bi³⁺ charge was offset by removal of relative proportion of Mg²⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ together with creation of oxygen non-stoichiometry in order to preserve electroneutrality of the system. These samples were crystallised in cubic structure with space group of Fd3m, No. 227 and their refined lattice parameters were in the range of 10.5706 (3)–10.5797 (7) Å. The surface morphologies of the samples as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis were of irregular shaped grains while their crystallite sizes of ~30–85 nm were calculated using the Scherrer equation and the Williamson–Hall method. No thermal event was discernable indicating these pyrochlores were thermally stable within a studied temperature range of ~30–1000 °C. The recorded dielectric constants of Bi_3+(5/2)xMg_2−xNb_3−(3/2)xO_14−x (0.14≤x≤0.22) subsolidus pyrochlores were generally above ~160 and their dielectric losses were in the order of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³ at the frequency of 1 MHz and temperature of ~30 °C. Meanwhile, these ceramic samples also exhibited negative temperature coefficient of relative permittivity between −528 and −742 ppm/°C in the temperature range of ~30–300 °C.     

Oxide ionic conductivities of apatite-type lanthanum silicates and germanates and their possibilities as an electrolyte of lower temperature operating SOFC

Electrical properties of La_xM₆O_12+1.5x (M = Si, Ge) as an electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have been investigated. In La_xSi₆O_12+1.5x and La_xGe₆O_12+1.5x of x = 8–11, the highest conductivities were achieved at x = 9.7 (La_9.7Si₆O_26.55) and x = 9.0 (La_9.0(GeO₄)₆O_1.5), respectively. The conductivity of La_9.0(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 was higher than that of La_9.7Si₆O_26.55 in a temperature region higher than 700 °C, and the conductivity (2.4 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) of La_9.7Si₆O_26.55 at 400 °C was higher than that (8.3 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹) of La_9.0(GeO₄)₆O_1.5. The power densities of SOFC (H₂ | Pt | electrolyte (thickness: 1 mm) | Pt | O₂) using La_9.0(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 as an electrolyte were 14.3 mW cm⁻² (700 °C) and 24.0 mW cm⁻² (800 °C). The corresponding SOFC using La_9.7Si₆O_26.55 was found to work even at lower temperatures of 400 and 500 °C with power densities of 0.011 and 0.12 mW cm⁻². The SOFC (H₂ | Ni–Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 | electrolyte | Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_2.5 | air) using 0.3 mm thickness La_9.7Si₆O_26.55 electrolyte gave the 3.4 mW cm⁻² power density at 500 °C.     

Effect of Bi2O3 additives on sintering and microwave dielectric behavior of La(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3 ceramics

Bi₂O₃ was selected as liquid phase sintering aid to lower the sintering temperature of La(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ ceramics. The sintering temperature of La(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ ceramics is generally high, about 1600 °C. However, the sintering temperature was significantly lowered about 275 °C from 1600 °C to 1325 °C by incorporating in 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ and revealed the optimum microwave dielectric properties of dielectric constant (?_r) value of 40.1, a quality factor (Q × f) value of 60,231 GHz, and the temperature coefficient (τ_f) value of 70.1 ppm/°C. During all addition ranges, the relative dielectric constants (?_r) were different and ranged from 32.0 to 41.9, the quality factors (Q × f) were distributed in the range of 928–60,231 GHz, and the temperature coefficient (τ_f) varies from 0.3 ppm/°C to 70.3 ppm/°C. Noticeably, a nearly zero τ_f can be found for doping 5 mol% Bi₂O₃ sintering at 1325 °C. It implies that nearly zero τ_f can be achieved by appropriately adjusting the amount of Bi₂O₃ additions and sintering temperature for La(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ ceramics.     

Phase composition and properties of solid solutions of GdFeO3–GdInO3 bulks

Solid solutions of the GdFeO₃–GdInO₃ system were prepared at 1550 °C by ceramic powder processing. The formulated composition was Gd(Fe_1−xIn_x)O₃ (GFI) with the indium contents at x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0. A stable phase of Gd(Fe_1/3In_2/3)O₃ in our system was identified by X-ray diffraction and phase composition analysis. Multi-phase morphologies were observed for GFI bulks with x = 0.5 and 0.75. Dielectric and electrical properties of the GFI bulks were investigated. The addition of 25% In³⁺ in GdFeO₃ had an obvious enhancement in polarization and led to an elevated resonance frequency. Dielectric properties of GFI bulks except GdInO₃ were strongly dependent upon the test frequency, which corresponded to the response of polarization mechanism. GdInO₃ displayed as a stable dielectric, which was frequency- and temperature-insensitive. GdInO₃ was thermally activated and became leaky until above 600 °C.     

Dielectric properties of CuO-doped La2.98/3Ba0.01(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics at microwave frequency

The microwave dielectric properties of La_2.98/3Ba_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics prepared by the conventional solid-state method were investigated for application in mobile communication. A 100 °C reduction of the sintering temperature was obtained by using CuO as a sintering aid. A dielectric constant of 20.0, a quality factor (Q × f) of 50,100 GHz and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ_f of −78.3 ppm/°C were obtained when La_2.98/3Ba_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics with 0.25 wt.% CuO were sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h.     

Low temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of Ce2(WO4)3 ceramics

Ce₂(WO₄)₃ ceramics have been synthesized by the conventional solid-state ceramic route. Ce₂(WO₄)₃ ceramics sintered at 1000 °C exhibited ?_r = 12.4, Qxf = 10,500 GHz (at 4.8 GHz) and τ_f = −39 ppm/°C. The effects of B₂O₃, ZnO–B₂O₃, BaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂, ZnO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ and PbO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses on the sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties of Ce₂(WO₄)₃ were investigated. The Ce₂(WO₄)₃ + 0.2 wt% ZBS sintered at 900 °C/4 h has ?_r = 13.7, Qxf = 20,200 GHz and τ_f = −25 ppm/°C.     

Dielectric properties of Sm, Nd and Fe doped Bi1.5Zn0.92Nb1.5O6.92 pyrochlores

New pyrochlore ceramics have been produced by doping Sm and Nd into the Bi site and Fe into the Nb site in the Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92 (BZN) pyrochlore. Doped pyrochlore ceramics were produced by conventional solid state mixing of oxides at different doping levels using the compositions of Bi_1.5−xSm_xZn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92, Bi_1.5−xNd_xZn_0.92Nb_1.5O_6.92 and Bi_1.5Zn_0.92Nb_1.5−xFe_xO_6.92−x. The solubility limit of cations was determined as x = 0.13, 0.18 and 0.15 for Sm, Nd and Fe, respectively. While Sm and Nd increased the dielectric constant (?), Fe doping led a decrease in ?. Dielectric constant of Sm and Nd doped BZN increased to 199 at x = 0.13 (Sm) and to 219 at x = 0.18 (Nd). At low Fe dopings (x = 0.05), the dielectric constant of BZN increased to 242 but decreased to 211 at x = 0.15. The dielectric losses were lower for Sm and Nd dopings than Fe but in all cases it was lower than 0.006. The dielectric constant of Sm, Nd and Fe doped BZN ceramics was nearly independent of frequency within the frequency range between 1 kHz and 2 MHz, but decreased considerably with temperature between 20 and 200 °C. Temperature coefficient of Sm doped BZN (−354 ppm/°C) was lower than Nd and Fe doped BZN ceramics at solubility limits (−538 ppm/°C for Nd and −565 ppm/°C for Fe).     

Sintering behavior and electromagnetic properties of Fe-deficient NiZn ferrites

Sintering behavior and electromagnetic properties of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe_2−xO_4−3/2x ferrite (x = 0, 0.4, 0.8) by the sol–gel method are investigated. Fe deficiency in the composition enhances sintering and retards grain growth. The near fully dense Fe-deficient samples could be obtained at a sintering temperature as low as 1120 °C and the highest relative density appears in the x = 0.8 sample sintered at 1150 °C. Second phase zincite ZnO resulting from Fe deficiency plays an important role in spinel NiZn ferrites by acting as a grain growth inhibitor and the grain growth of NiZn ferrite is effectively suppressed. When the sintering temperature is above 1200 °C, extensive grain growth occurs due to the probability of serious volatilization of zinc at high temperatures. The ratio of Ni to Zn of NiZn ferrites increases with increasing Fe deficiency due to the separation of zinc from spinel lattice, which results in the decrease in initial permeability and the increase in Curie temperature and resonant frequency.     

Microwave dielectric properties of SnO2-doped CaSiO3 ceramics

SnO₂-doped CaSiO₃ ceramics were successfully synthesized by a solid-state method. Effects of different SnO₂ additions on the sintering behavior, microstructure and dielectric properties of Ca(Sn_1−xSi_x)O₃ (x=0.5–1.0) ceramics have been investigated. SnO₂ improved the densification process and expanded the sintering temperature range effectively. Moreover, Sn⁴⁺ substituting for Si⁴⁺ sites leads to the emergence of Ca₃SnSi₂O₉ phase, which has a positive effect on the dielectric properties of CaO–SiO₂–SnO₂ materials, especially the Qf value. The Ca(Sn_0.1Si_0.9)O₃ ceramics sintered at 1375 °C possessed good microwave dielectric properties: ε_r =7.92, Qf =58,000 GHz and τ_f=−42 ppm/°C. The Ca(Sn_0.4Si_0.6)O₃ ceramics sintered at 1450 °C also exhibited good microwave dielectric properties of ε_r=9.27, Qf=63,000 GHz, and τ_f=−52 ppm/°C. Thus, they are promising candidate materials for millimeter-wave devices.     

Low temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics doped with ZnO–La2O3–B2O3 glass

Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ ceramics doped with ZnO–La₂O₃–B₂O₃ glass were prepared by the conventional solid-state ceramic route. The effects of the ZnO–La₂O₃–B₂O₃ glass on the sintering temperature, phase composition, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ ceramics were investigated. The addition of ZLB glass can reduce the sintering temperature of Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ ceramic from 1075 °C to 925 °C without obvious degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Only a single phase Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ with cubic spinel structure is formed in Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ ceramic with ZLB addition sintered at 925 °C. Typically, 1.0 wt% ZLB-doped Li₂ZnTi₃O₈ ceramic sintered at 925 °C can reach a maximum relative density of 95.8% and exhibits good microwave dielectric properties of ε_r=24.34, Q×f=41,360 GHz and τ_f=−13.4 ppm/°C. Moreover, this material is compatible with Ag electrode, which makes it a promising candidate for LTCC application.     

Stress-dependent ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3–Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramic systems

Effects of compressive stress on the ferroelectric properties of ceramics in PZT–PZN systems were investigated. (1 − x)Pb(Zr_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃(xPb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ or (1 − x)PZT–(x)PZN (x = 0.1–0.5) ceramics were prepared by a conventional mixed-oxide method. The ferroelectric properties under compressive stress of the PZT–PZN ceramics were observed at stress levels up to 170 MPa using a compressometer in conjunction with a modified Sawyer–Tower circuit. It was found that with increasing compressive stress the area of the ferroelectric hysteresis (P–E) loops, the saturation polarization (P_sat), the remanent polarization (P_r), and the coercive field (E_c) decreased. These results were interpreted through the non-180° ferroelectric domain switching processes.     

Conductivity and electrochemical performance of (Ba0.5Sr0.5)0.8La0.2Fe1−xMnxO3−δ cathode prepared by the citrate-EDTA complexing method

This study reports the successful preparation of single-phase perovskite (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8La_0.2Fe_1−xMn_xO_3−δ (x = 0-0.2) by the citrate-EDTA complexing method. The crystal structure, thermal gravity analysis, coefficient of thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical performance of (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8La_0.2Fe_1−xMn_xO_3−δ were investigated to determine its suitability as a cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The lattice parameter a of (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8La_0.2Fe_1−xMn_xO_3−δ decreases as the amount of Mn doping increases. The coefficients of thermal expansion of the samples are in the range of 21.6-25.9 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and show an abnormal expansion at around 400 °C associated with the loss of lattice oxygen. The electrical conductivity of the (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8La_0.2Fe_1−xMn_xO_3−δ samples decreases as the amount of Mn-doping increases. The electrical conductivity of the samples reaches a maximum value at around 400 °C and then decreases as the temperature increases. The charge transfer resistance, diffusion resistance and total resistance of a (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.8La_0.2Fe_0.8Mn_0.15O_3-δ-Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 composite cathode electrode at 800 °C are 0.11 Ω cm², 0.24 Ω cm² and 0.35 Ω cm², respectively.     

Synthesis,structural analysis and dielectric properties of Ba8(Mg1−xZnx)Nb6O24 hexagonal perovskites

Ba₈(Mg_1−xZn_x)Nb₆O₂₄ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1) ceramics were prepared through the conventional solid-state route. The materials were calcined at 1250 °C and sintered at 1375–1425 °C. The structure of the system was analyzed using X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopic studies. The microstructure of the sintered pellet was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant (ε_r), temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) and the unloaded quality factor (Q_u) were measured in the microwave frequency region. The τ_f values of the compositions were reduced by varying the value of x from 0 to 1. The dielectric responses to frequency were also studied in the radio frequency region. The compositions have good microwave dielectric properties and hence are suitable for dielectric resonator applications.     

Sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of a new low-permittivity ceramic system Ca(Mg1−xAlx)(Si1−x/2Alx/2)2O6

The diopside ceramics with a formula of Ca(Mg_1−xAl_x)(Si_1−x/2Al_x/2)₂O₆ (x=0.01–0.3) were synthesized via a traditional solid-state reaction method, and their solid solubility, sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The results revealed that the solubility limit of Al₂O₃ in Ca(Mg_1−xAl_x)(Si_1−x/2Al_x/2)₂O₆, which is defined as x, was between 0.15 and 0.2, and a second phase of CaAl₂SiO₆ presented when the x value reached 0.2. Appropriate Al³⁺ substitution for Mg²⁺ and Si⁴⁺ could promote the sintering process and lower the densification temperature, and a broadened densification temperature range of 1250–1300 °C was obtained for the compositions of x=0.08–0.15. With the increase of the x value, the dielectric constant (ε_r) increased roughly linearly, and the temperature coefficient of frequency (τ_f) showed a rising trend. The Q×f values increased from 57,322 GHz to 59,772 GHz as the x value increased from 0.01 to 0.08, and then they were saturated in the range of x=0.08–0.2. Further increase of the x value (x≥0.25) deteriorated the microwave dielectric properties. Good microwave dielectric properties of ε_r=7.89, Q×f=59,772 GHz and τ_f=−42.12 ppm/°C were obtained for the ceramics with the composition of x=0.08 sintered at 1275 °C.     

One-step synthesis of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 fine-patterned films via photosensitive sol–gel route

Ni_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (NZFO) (x=0.0–0.7) films were prepared by a photosensitive sol–gel route utilizing nickel acetate, zinc acetate and ferric nitrate as starting materials. The saturation magnetization of the NZFO film showed a parabolic tendency with Zn substitution. For Zn substitution of 0.5, the saturation magnetization reached the maximum value of 683 emu/cm³ with a relative low coercivity of 56 Oe at room temperature. The phase constituents and surface morphology of the films were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Through a direct patterning process, a fine-patterned Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ film was obtained by a photochemical reaction between the chelated complexes and UV light.     

Effects of CeO2 addition on the piezoelectric properties of PNW–PMN–PZT ceramics

Temperature stability and electrical properties of the piezoelectric material are very important in piezoelectric transformers applications. In this study, it was investigated the temperature stability of PNW–PMN–PZT with CeO₂ additives and the variation of Zr/Ti ratio. Meanwhile, effects of CeO₂ additives and the variation of Zr/Ti ratio on the microstructure and electrical properties of PNW–PMN–PZT were investigated in detail. The results revealed that the optimized temperature stability of Δf_r/f_r25 °C = 0.15%, ΔK_p/K_p25 °C = −0.86% and ΔQ_m/Q_m25 °C = −45.26% could be attained at x = 0.1 wt.% and Zr/Ti = 51/49. Moreover, optimized electrical properties were achieved: K_p = 0.60, Q_m = 1405, d₃₃ = 388 pC/N, ?_r = 2140 and tan δ = 0.0059. The obtained temperature stabilities and electrical properties make this composition a good candidate for high power piezoelectric transformer applications.