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.     

Crystal structure,phase transition,vibrational spectra,and microwave dielectric characteristics of Ta5+ ionic substituted Co0.5Ti0.5NbO4 ceramics

In the present research, structural representation, phase transition, and dielectric characteristics of Ta⁵⁺ ionic substituted Co_0.5Ti_0.5(Nb_1-xTa_x)O₄ (x = 0–1) ceramics were thoroughly investigated. Combined with the changes of diffraction peaks in the X-ray diffraction spectra, such as (002) and (101) crystalline planes near 20°, and the evolutionary trend of the strongest peak in the Raman spectra, a phase transition from rutile to trirutile structure at x = 0.6 was confirmed, suggesting the emergence of structural evolution. Thus, the structural evolution showed a significant impact on the dielectric characteristics, as evidenced by the weakening of the dielectric polarizability with the increasing amount of Ta⁵⁺ ion, which led to a reduction in the dielectric constant; the dielectric loss is also closely related to the packing fraction (PF) arising from the structural changes. Additionally, infrared and THz time-domain spectroscopy revealed that the dielectric losses in the microwave band were originated from the oscillatory absorption of structural phonons and supported that the effects of structural evolution on the intrinsic dielectric properties due to the introduction of Ta⁵⁺ ion.     

Crystal structure,infrared-reflectivity spectra,and microwave dielectric properties of novel Ce2(MoO4)2(Mo2O7) ceramics

Novel Ce₂(MoO₄)₂(Mo₂O₇) (CMO) ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid-state method, and the microwave dielectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction results illustrated that pure Ce₂(MoO₄)₂(Mo₂O₇) structure formed upon sintering at 600 °C-725 °C. [CeO₇], [CeO₈], [MoO₄], and [MoO₆] polyhedra were connected to form a three-dimensional structure of CMO ceramics. Analysis based on chemical bond theory indicated that the Mo–O bond critically affected the ceramics’ performance. Furthermore, infrared-reflectivity spectra analysis revealed that the primary polarisation contribution was from ionic polarisation. Notably, the optimum microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 10.69, Q·f = 49,440 GHz (@ 9.29 GHz), and τ_f = −30.4 ppm/°C were obtained in CMO ceramics sintered at 700 °C.     

Effects of (Cr0.5Ta0.5)4+ on structure and microwave dielectric properties of Ca0.61Nd0.26TiO3 ceramics

The Ca_0.61Nd_0.26Ti_1-x(Cr_0.5Ta_0.5)_xO₃ (CNT-CTx) ceramics with orthorhombic perovskite structure were prepared using the conventional solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were employed to investigate the correlations between crystal structure and microwave dielectric properties of CNT-CTx ceramics. The XRD results showed that all CNT-CTx samples were crystallized into the orthorhombic perovskite structure. The SEM micrographs indicated that the average grain size of samples depended on the sintering temperature. As (Cr_0.5Ta_0.5)⁴⁺ concentration increased, there was a significant decrease in the average grain size of samples. The short range order (SRO) structure and structural distortion of oxygen octahedra proved to exist in CNT-CTx crystals according to the analysis of Raman spectra results. The microwave dielectric properties highly depended on the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of Raman spectra, oxygen octahedra distortion, reduction of Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺ and bond valence. At last, the CNT-CT0.05 ceramic sintered at 1420?°C for 4?h exhibited the good and stable comprehensive microwave dielectric properties: relative permittivity of 96.5, quality factor of 14,360?GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of +153.3?ppm/°C.     

Structural,dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of Ce-doped Bi7Ti4.2Ta0.3W0.5O21 intergrowth ferroelectric ceramics

The Bi_7-xCe_xTi_4.2Ta_0.3W_0.5O₂₁ (BTTW-BITT-xCe, x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) ceramics were studied as potential materials for high-temperature applications. The microstructure, dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of Ce doped BTTW-BITT samples were analyzed in detail. The results indicated that an appropriate amount of Ce ion doping could inhibit the growth of grains, suppress the relaxation peak, reduce high-temperature dielectric losses, and greatly improve the piezoelectric activities. The optimal ceramics was obtained at x = 0.15, which possessed a maximum piezoelectric constant of d₃₃ = 23.4 pC/N, a high Curie temperature of 713 °C, a loss value of 6% at 500 °C, and a favorable thermal stability of d₃₃ = 21.1 pC/N (90% of the initial value) at 500 °C. This result indicates that BTTW-BITT-0.15Ce has great potential for applications in the high temperature fields. In addition, XPS results showed that there were two Ce valences states, Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺present in the BTTW-BITT-xCe ceramics.     

The electrical properties of (Ba,Ca, Ce,Ti, Zr)O3 thermistor for wide-temperature sensor architecture

A series of new negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermal materials based on (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)_1-xCe_x/2(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) ceramics were synthesized by a solid-state method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to demonstrate the crystal structure, morphology, and composition of the (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)_1-xCe_x/2(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ ceramics, which were composed of solid solution based on the BaTiO₃ phase. The average grain size of doped ceramic samples experienced the process of first decreasing and then increasing. The doping of Ce has reduced the sintering temperature. The temperature-dependent resistance analysis revealed that with the change of doping amount x, the thermal constant B_300/1200 (1.21 × 10⁴–1.13 × 10⁴ K) and the activation energy E_a300/1200 (0.9777–1.0471eV) was initially increased to maximum values at x = 0.05, followed by the decreasing when x > 0.05. It has been established that the concentration of oxygen vacancies is affected by the transition between Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ provided by high levels of Ce doping. (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)_1-xCe_x/2(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ ceramics exhibited excellent negative temperature characteristics in the range of 300–1200 °C. Moreover, the temperature resistance linearity was improved after samples were aged. Hence, the (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)_1-xCe_x/2(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ ceramics were regarded as a promising material for high-temperature NTC thermistors in a wide temperature range.     

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.     

Degree of inversion of A/B lattice sites and microwave/millimeter wave/terahertz dielectric properties of MgAl2-x(Zn0.5Mn0.5)xO4 ceramics

In this work, spinel-structured MgAl_2-x(Zn_0.5Mn_0.5)_xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) single-phase ceramics were prepared through a solid-state reaction route. The substitution of (Zn_0.5Mn_0.5)³⁺ for Al³⁺ at the octahedral site affected the degree of inversion of A/B lattice sites, bond length/strength/valence, and covalency of metal-oxygen bond in the tetrahedron and hence microwave dielectric properties of MgAl₂O₄. The variation in ε_r and tanδ of ceramics is investigated in the millimeter wave-terahertz frequency band by combining infrared reflection spectrum and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. A high Q×f value of 111,010 GHz @ 12.01 GHz, low ε_r = 8.3, and slightly lower τ_f = −60 ppm/°C is obtained for MgAl_1.98Zn_0.01Mn_0.01O₄ ceramics, which is tuned by adding a small amount of SrTiO₃. The composite ceramics exhibited a near-zero τ_f (2.8 ppm/°C), high Q×f (55,400 GHz @ 11.15 GHz), and low ε_r (= 8.5), showing a great potential application prospect for 5G/6G wireless communication.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (Zn1/3B2/3)0.5(Ti0.8M0.2)0.5O2 (B = Nb5+, Ta5+, M = Sn4+, Ge4+) ceramics

Dielectric properties of (Zn_1/3Nb_(2?x)/3Ta_x/3)_0.5(Ti_0.8Sn_0.1Ge_0.1)_0.5O₂ (x = 0, 1, 2) and/or (Zn_1/3Nb_1/3Ta_l/3)_0.5(Ti_0.8Sn_0.2(l?y)Ge_0.2y)_0.5O₂ (y = 0, 0.5, 1) were investigated at the microwave frequencies. For the compositions with single phase of rutile structure, the dielectric constant (K) of specimens was not only dependent on the dielectric polarizabilities, but also on the bond length ratio of apical bond (d_apical) to equatorial bond (d_equatorial) of oxygen octahedron in the unit cell. Temperature coefficients of the resonant frequencies (TCF) of the specimens with B = Nb⁵⁺ and/or M = Sn⁴⁺ was larger than those with B = Ta⁵⁺ and/or M = Ge⁴⁺. These results could be attributed to the changes of the degree of oxygen octahedral distortion. Quality factors (Qf) of the specimens with B = Ta⁵⁺ and/or M = Sn⁴⁺ were larger than those with B = Nb⁵⁺ and/or M = Ge⁴⁺.     

High-Qf value and temperature stable Zn2+-Mn4+ cooperated modified cordierite-based microwave and millimeter-wave dielectric ceramics

Cordierite-based dielectric ceramics with a lower dielectric constant would have significant application potential as dielectric resonator and filter materials for future ultra-low-latency 5G/6G millimeter-wave and terahertz communication. In this article, the phase structure, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics are studied by crystal structure refinement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), the theory of complex chemical bonds and infrared reflectance spectrum. Meanwhile, complex double-ions coordinated substitution and two-phase complex methods were used to improve its Q×f value and adjust its temperature coefficient. The Q×f values of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ single-phase ceramics are increased from 45,000 GHz@14.7 GHz (x = 0) to 150,500 GHz@14.5 GHz (x = 0.15) by replacing Al³⁺ with Zn²⁺-Mn⁴⁺. The positive frequency temperature coefficient additive TiO₂ is used to prepare the temperature stable Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ composite ceramic. The composite ceramic of Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ (8.7 wt% ≤ y ≤ 10.6 wt%) presents the near-zero frequency temperature coefficient at 1225 °C sintering temperature: ε_r = 5.68, Q×f = 58,040 GHz, τ_f = ?3.1 ppm/°C (y = 8.7 wt%) and ε_r = 5.82, Q×f = 47,020 GHz, τ_f = +2.4 ppm/°C (y = 10.6 wt%). These findings demonstrate promising application prospects for 5 G and future microwave and millimeter-wave wireless communication technologies.     

Structure,Infrared Reflectivity and Microwave Dielectric Properties of (Na0.5La0.5)MoO4–(Na0.5Bi0.5)MoO4 Ceramics

A series of temperature‐stable microwave dielectric ceramics, (1?x)(Na_0.5La_0.5)MoO₄–x(Na_0.5Bi_0.5)MoO₄ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) were prepared by using solid‐state reaction. All specimens can be well sintered at temperature of 580°C–680°C. Sintering behavior, phase composition, microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were investigated. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that tetragonal scheelite solid solution was formed. Microwave dielectric properties showed that permittivity (ε_r) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) were increased gradually, while quality factor (Q × f) values were decreased, at the x value was increased. The 0.45(Na_0.5La_0.5)MoO₄–0.55(Na_0.5Bi_0.5)MoO₄ ceramic sintered at 640°C with a relative permittivity of 23.1, a Q × f values of 17 500 GHz (at 9 GHz) and a near zero τ_f value of 0.28 ppm/°C. Far‐infrared spectra (50–1000 cm^?1) study showed that complex dielectric spectra were in good agreement with the measured microwave permittivity and dielectric losses.     

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.     

Ultra-high quality factor and low dielectric constant of (Zn0.5Ti0.5)3+ co-substituted MgAl2O4 ceramic

In this study, MgAl₂O₄-based ceramics with high quality factor (Qf) and low dielectric constant (ε_r ≤ 10) were obtained by fabricating MgAl_2-x(Zn_0.5Ti_0.5)_xO₄ (x = 0–0.5) ceramics via conventional solid-state reaction method. Excellent microwave dielectric properties were achieved for samples at x = 0.5 and sintered at 1550 °C, i.e., ε_r = 9.86, Qf = 263 900 GHz (five times better than that for x = 0 sample) and τ_f = ?92 ppm/°C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns displayed characteristic peaks of MgAl₂O₄ with spinel structure. MgTi₂O₅ and MgTiO₃ were considered as secondary phases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and relative density analysis indicated that ultra-high Qf values were dominated by dense microstructure, secondary phase and cation vacancies; whereas ε_r values were mainly affected by secondary phase and ionic polarizability. MgAl_2-x(Zn_0.5Ti_0.5)_xO₄ ceramics with excellent microwave dielectric properties have potential application in millimeter-wave communication, dielectric filters, dielectric antennas and resonators.     

Influence of B-site substituent Ce on thermophysical,oxygen diffusion,and mechanical properties of La2Zr2O7

Pyrochlore-type La₂Zr₂O₇ (LZ) is a promising candidate for high-temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). However, its thermal expansion coefficient and low fracture toughness are not optimal for such application and thus, need to be improved. In this study, we systematically report the effect of CeO₂ addition on phase formation, oxygen-ion diffusion, and thermophysical and mechanical properties of full compositions La₂(Zr₁?_xCe_x)₂O₇ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1). La₂(Zr₁?_xCe_x)₂O₇ exhibits a pyrochlore structure at x ≤ 0.3, while a fluorite structure is observed outside this range. With the increase in CeO₂ content, thermal expansion coefficient and oxygen-ion diffusivity in La₂(Zr₁?_xCe_x)₂O₇ are increased. Oxygen-ion diffusivity of La₂(Zr₁?_xCe_x)₂O₇ is two orders of magnitude less than that of classical 8YSZ. Among La₂(Zr₁?_xCe_x)₂O₇ compounds, La₂(Zr_0.7Ce_0.3)₂O₇ and La₂(Zr_0.5Ce_0.5)₂O₇ exhibit relatively low oxygen diffusivities. The composition La₂(Zr_0.5Ce_0.5)₂O₇ presents the lowest thermal conductivity due to the strongest phonon scattering and also the highest fracture toughness due to the solid-solution toughening. The highest sintering resistance is achieved by the composition La₂(Zr_0.7Ce_0.3)₂O₇ because of its ordered pyrochlore structure and high atomic mass of Ce. Based on these results, the compositions La₂(Zr_0.5Ce_0.5)₂O₇ and La₂(Zr_0.7Ce_0.3)₂O₇ are alternatives for classical 8YSZ for TBC materials operating at ultrahigh temperatures.     

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.     

Phase evolution and microstructure of new Sr0.5Zr2(PO4)3-NdPO4 composite ceramics prepared by one-step microwave sintering

Sodium Zirconium Phosphate (NaZr₂(PO₄)₃, hereinafter NZP) and monazite are both potential materials for immobilization of nuclear waste. In this work, novel (1-x)Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃-xNdPO₄ composite ceramics (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) for simultaneously immobilizing the simulated fission product (FP) Sr and trivalent minor actinide (MA) Nd were prepared by one-step microwave sintering technique, in which Sr and Nd were immobilized into NZP and monazite type structures, respectively. The phase evolution and microstructure of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and backscattering scanning electron microscopy (BSE). The results showed that the expected composite ceramics were successfully obtained by one-step microwave sintering at 1050 °C for 2 h. The as-prepared samples consisted of Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ and NdPO₄ phases, and the content of the two phases varied regularly as x changed, generally conforming to the designed nominal chemical composition. Importantly, the composite ceramics presented the homogenous and dense microstructure. The relative density of the composite ceramics was more than 95%, meanwhile, the Vickers-hardness of the samples was higher than 600 MPa. It was indicated that NZP-monazite type composite ceramics could be a potential matrix for the simultaneous immobilization of actinide and fission product.     

Temperature stable 0.35Ag2MoO4-0.65Ag0.5Bi0.5MoO4 microwave dielectric ceramics with ultra-low sintering temperatures

In this study, the novel temperature-stable (1-x)Ag₂MoO₄-xAg_0.5Bi_0.5MoO₄ microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared by a modified solid-state reaction method. The phase composition, microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of the (1-x)Ag₂MoO₄-xAg_0.5Bi_0.5MoO₄ ceramics were investigated. All the compounds can be sintered well at ultra-low temperatures (<540 °C). The XRD and SEM analysis indicate that the Ag₂MoO₄ and the Ag_0.5Bi_0.5MoO₄ can coexist with each other. When x = 0.65, the ceramics exhibit the best microwave dielectric properties with a relative permittivity of 23.9, a Q × f value of 16,200 GHz (at 7.3 GHz) and a near-zero TCF value of -2.4 ppm/°C at 520 °C. The results indicate that temperature-stable (1-x)Ag₂MoO₄-xAg_0.5Bi_0.5MoO₄ ceramics are promising candidates for low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) applications.     

Polarization-dependent multichannel transmission of 5G signals based on Zn0.91(Li0.5Bi0.5)0.09MoO4 low-temperature co-fired ceramics

Microwave communication for 5 G signals is the preferred solution in modern communication networks where fiber optic cables are difficult to deploy or base stations operate incorrectly. Here, a novel Zn_1-x(Li_0.5Bi_0.5)_xMoO₄ (ZLBMO∼xLB, x = 0.09) ceramic with excellent microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 10.5, Q×f = 43,001 GHz, τ_f = −21.5 ppm/°C) is developed using solid-state reaction method. The sintering temperature is successfully reduced from 850 °C to 725 °C. For the first time, an all-ceramic device for multichannel transmission of 5 G signals is designed using this ceramic material. This device exhibits transverse dual-channel, longitudinal dual-channel, and four-channel transmission under x-, y- and 45°-polarized waves incidence, respectively. The number of channels can be changed by switching the polarization state of the incident wave. This functionality is verified by simulation results of the electric field and phase. This work provides new ideas for the combination of dielectric ceramics and communication devices.     

The structure evolution and microwave dielectric properties of MgAl2-x(Mg0·5Ti0.5)xO4 solid solutions

In the present work, MgAl_2-x(Mg_0·5Ti_0.5)_xO₄ (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) solid solutions were synthesized via the traditional solid-state reaction route. The valence state of Ti ions, crystal structural characteristics, and microwave dielectric properties were discussed. A solid solution with spinel structure was revealed by the Rietveld refinement results. The partial substitution of (Mg_0·5Ti_0.5)³⁺ for Al³⁺ lowered the sintering temperature and improved the Q × f value of MgAl₂O₄ ceramic. The MgAl_2-x(Mg_0·5Ti_0.5)_xO₄ solid solutions with x = 0.06 can be well sintered at 1425 °C in an oxygen atmosphere for 8 h and exhibits excellent microwave dielectric properties with ε_r = 9.1, Q × f = 98,000 GHz, τ_f = −61.36 ppm/°C. The sintering temperature of MgAl_1·94(Mg_0·5Ti_0.5)_0.06O₄ microwave dielectric ceramics was approximately 200 °C lower than that of conventional MgAl₂O₄ ceramics.     

Low-fire processing and microwave dielectric properties of LB glass-doped Ba3.75Nd9.5Ti17.5(Cr0.5Nb0.5)0.5O54 ceramic

The effects of LB glass on the sintering behavior, structure, and dielectric properties for the Ba_3.75Nd_9.5Ti_17.5(Cr_0.5Nb_0.5)_0.5O₅₄ (BNTCN) ceramic were investigated. The results showed that the LB glass, as an effective sintering aid, successfully lowered the sintering temperature of BNTCN ceramic by formation of the liquid phase. Furthermore, the change of the structure and decrease in grain size had influences on the electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and microwave dielectric properties for the BNTCN ceramics doped LB glass. Finally, the excellent microwave dielectric properties with ε_r = 73.4, Q × f = 5277 GHz, and τ_f = +7.1 ppm/°C were obtained for samples sintered at 950°C when x = 5, indicating the BNTCN ceramic doped with 5 wt% LB glass is a promoting LTCC material.