Microwave dielectric properties of La1−xBix(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics

The La_1−xBi_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the La_0.97Bi_0.03(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics revealed no significant variation of phase with sintering temperatures. An apparent density of 6.50 g cm⁻³, a dielectric constant (?_r) of 20.2, a quality factor (Q × f) of 58,100 GHz and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −84.2 ppm °C⁻¹ were obtained for La_0.97Bi_0.03(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h.     

Influence of sintering temperature on piezoelectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-LiNbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (1 − x)(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-xLiNbO₃ have been synthesized by traditional ceramics process without cold-isostatic pressing. The effect of the content of LiNbO₃ and the sintering temperature on the phase structure, the microstructure and piezoelectric properties of (1 − x)(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-xLiNbO₃ ceramics were investigated. The result shows that the phase structure transforms from the orthorhombic phase to tetragonal phase with the increase of the content of LiNbO₃, and the orthorhombic and tetragonal phase co-exist in (K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-LiNbO₃ ceramics when the content of LiNbO₃ is about 0.06 mol. The sintering temperature of (1 − x)(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-xLiNbO₃ decreases with the increase of the content of LiNbO₃. The optimum composition for (1 − x)(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-xLiNbO₃ ceramics is 0.94(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-0.06LiNbO₃. The optimum sintering temperature of 0.94(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-0.06LiNbO₃ ceramics is 1080 °C. Piezoelectric properties of 0.94 (K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-0.06LiNbO₃ ceramics under the optimum sintering temperature are piezoelectric constant d₃₃ of 215 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling factor k_p of 0.41, thickness electromechanical coupling factor k_t of 0.48, the mechanical quality factor Q_m of 80, the dielectric constant of 530 and the Curie temperature T_c = 450 °C, respectively. The results indicate that 0.94(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-0.06LiNbO₃ piezoelectric ceramics is a promising candidate for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.     

Structure, dielectric and ferroelectric anisotropy of Sr2−xCaxBi4Ti5O18 ceramics

Sr_2−xCa_xBi₄Ti₅O₁₈(x = 0, 0.05) powders synthesized by solid state route were uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1225 °C for 2 h. The obtained dense ceramics exhibited crystallographic anisotropy with a dominant c axis parallel to the uniaxial pressing direction which was quantified in terms of the Lotgering factor. Microstructure anisotropy of both compositions (x = 0, 0.05) consisted of plate like grains exhibiting their larger surfaces mostly perpendicular to the uniaxial pressing direction. Dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Sr_2−xCa_xBi₄Ti₅O₁₈ ceramics were measured under an electric field (E) applied parallel and perpendicularly to uniaxial pressing direction. The obtained dielectric ?_R(T) and polarization (P-E) curves depended strongly on E direction thus denoting a significant effect from microstructure and crystallographic texture. Sr_2−xCa_xBi₄Ti₅O₁₈ properties were also significantly affected by Ca content (x): Curie temperature increased from 280 °C (x = 0) to 310 °C (x = 0.05) while ?_R and remnant polarization decreased for x = 0.05. The present results are discussed within the framework of the processing and crystal structure-properties relationships of Aurivillius oxides ceramics.     

Microstructure and microwave dielectric characteristics of (1 − x)Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3-xBaTi4O9 ceramics

(1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.85) composites are prepared by mixing 1150 °C-calcined BaTi₄O₉ with 1150 °C-calcined Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ powders. The crystal structure, microwave dielectric properties and sinterabilites of the (1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ ceramics have been investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that BaTi₄O₉, ordered and disordered Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ phases exist independently over the whole compositional range. The sintering temperatures of (1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ ceramics are about 1240 - 1320 °C and obviously lower than those of Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ ceramics. The dielectric constants (?_r) and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of (1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ ceramics increase with the increase of BaTi₄O₉ content. Nevertheless, the bulk densities and the quality values (Q × f) of (1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ ceramics increase with the increase of Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ content. The results are attributed to the higher density and quality value of Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃ ceramics, the better grain growth, and the densification of sintered specimens added a small BaTi₄O₉ content. The (1 − x)Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_2/3)O₃-xBaTi₄O₉ ceramic with x = 0.1 sintered at 1320 °C exhibits a ?_r value of 31.5, a maximum Q × f value of 68500 GHz and a minimum τ_f value of 4.1 ppm/°C.     

(5 − x)BaO-xMgO-2Nb2O5 ceramics prepared using a reaction-sintering process

(5 − x)BaO-xMgO-2Nb₂O₅ (x = 0.5 and 1; 5MBN and 10MBN) microwave ceramics prepared using a reaction-sintering process were investigated. Without any calcinations involved, the mixture of BaCO₃, MgO, and Nb₂O₅ was pressed and sintered directly. MBN ceramics were produced after 2-6 h of sintering at 1350-1500 °C. The formation of (BaMg)₅Nb₄O₁₅ was a major phase in producing 5MBN ceramics, and the formation of Ba(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ was a major phase in producing 10MBN ceramics. As CuO (1 wt%) was added, the sintering temperature dropped by more than 150 °C. We produced 5MBN ceramics with these dielectric properties: ?_r = 36.69, Qf = 20,097 GHz, and τ_f = 61.1 ppm/°C, and 10MBN ceramics with these dielectric properties: ?_r = 39.2, Qf = 43,878 GHz, and τ_f = 37.6 ppm/°C. The reaction-sintering process is a simple and effective method for producing (5 − x)BaO-xMgO-2Nb₂O₅ ceramics for applications in microwave dielectric resonators.     

Influences of poling condition and sintering temperature on piezoelectric properties of (Na0.5Bi0.5)1 − xBaxTiO3 ceramics

The structure, ferroelectric characteristics and piezoelectric properties of (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_1 − xBa_xTiO₃ (x = 0.04, 0.06, 0.10) ceramics prepared by conventional solid state method were investigated. The influences of poling condition and sintering temperature on the piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were examined. The piezoelectric properties of the ceramics highly depend on poling field and temperature, while no remarkable effect of poling time on the piezoelectric properties was found in the range of 5-25 min. Compared with (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.96Ba_0.04TiO₃ and (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.90Ba_0.10TiO₃, the piezoelectric properties of (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ are more sensitive to poling temperature due to the relatively low depolarization temperature. Moderate increase of sintering temperature improved the poling process and piezoelectric properties due to the development of microstructural densification and crystal structure. With respect to sintering behavior and piezoelectric properties, a sintering temperature range of 1130-1160 °C was ascertained for (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.90Ba_0.10TiO₃.     

Study on properties of BaxSmyTi7O20 ceramics with CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass

The effect of CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ (CSB) glass addition on the sintering temperature and dielectric properties of Ba_xSm_yTi₇O₂₀ ceramics has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis. The CSB glass starts to melt at about 970 °C, and a small amount of CSB glass addition to Ba_xSm_yTi₇O₂₀ ceramics can greatly decrease the sintering temperature from about 1350 to about 1260 °C, which is attributed to the formation of liquid phase. It is found that the dielectric properties of Ba_xSm_yTi₇O₂₀ ceramics are dependent on the amount of CSB glass and the microstructures of sintered samples. The product with 5 wt% CSB glass sintered at 1260 °C is optimal in these samples based on the microstructure and the properties of sintering product, when the major phases of this material are BaSm₂Ti₄O₁₂ and BaTi₄O₉. The material possesses excellent dielectric properties: ?_r = 61, tan δ = 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ at 10 GHz, temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is −75 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹.     

Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of Bi1−ySryFe(1−y)(1−x)Sc(1−y)xTiyO3 (x = 0-0.2, y = 0.1-0.3) ceramics

In this study, bulk ceramics with general formula Bi_1−ySr_yFe_{(1−y)(1−x)}Sc_(1−y)xTi_yO₃ (x = 0-0.2, y = 0.1-0.3 mol%) were prepared by traditional solid-state reaction method. As a comparison, bulk BiFeO₃ (BF) was also sintered by rapid sintering method. Their structural, magnetic, dielectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that apart from a small amount of secondary phase detected in BF, all other samples crystallized in pure perovskite structure and maintained original R3c space group. The room temperature M-H curves were obtained. While BF had a coercive magnetic field (H_c) of 150 Oe, Bi_1−ySr_yFe_1−yTi_yO₃ solid solutions had a much larger value (for y = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, H_c were 4537, 5230 and 3578 Oe, respectively). Sc³⁺ substitution decreased the H_c values of these solid solutions remarkably, and resulted in soft magnetic properties, as well as a decrease of the dielectric loss. At 1 MHz, the tan δ of Bi_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.7(1−x)Sc_0.7xTi_0.3O₃ with x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 were 0.1545, 0.1078, 0.1046 and 0.1701, respectively.     

CO2 absorption and desorption of Bi2O3-La2O3 powders prepared by mechanical synthesis

In order to obtain CO₂-absorbents to eliminate CO₂ concentration locally, Bi₂O₃-La₂O₃ mixed powders were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) method using a planetary ball-milling machine. CO₂-absorption and desorption properties were checked by TG-DTA for the obtained powder samples. As a result, the sample shown by (Bi₂O₃)_1−x(La₂O₃)_x [x≤0.50] was found to form α-Bi₂O₃-solid solution with repeated CO₂-adsorption and desorption around 400- 500 °C. Absorbed and desorbed CO₂ contents varied with MA time: the 72 h MA’ed sample had a larger CO₂ content than the 24 h MA’ed sample. The performance depended on the sample composition, and (Bi₂O₃)_0.70(La₂O₃)_0.30 was found to have the highest performance in the present system.     

Improved high-Q microwave dielectric resonator using CuO-doped MgNb2O6 ceramics

The microwave dielectric properties and the microstructures of MgNb₂O₆ ceramics with CuO additions (1-4 wt.%) prepared with conventional solid-state route have been investigated. The sintered samples exhibit excellent microwave dielectric properties, which depend upon the liquid phase and the sintering temperature. It is found that MgNb₂O₆ ceramics can be sintered at 1140 °C due to the liquid phase effect of CuO addition. At 1170 °C, MgNb₂O₆ ceramics with 2 wt.% CuO addition possesses a dielectric constant (ε_r) of 19.9, a Q×f value of 110,000 (at 10 GHz) and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −44 ppm/°C. The CuO-doped MgNb₂O₆ ceramics can find applications in microwave devices requiring low sintering temperature.     

Formation, sintering, and electrical conductivity of (Nd1−xCax)CrO3 (0≤x≤0.25) using citric acid as a gelling agent

In Ca²⁺-substituted NdCrO₃, single-phase perovskite compounds (Nd_1−xCa_x)CrO₃, where x=0-0.25, have been formed by a citric acid processing. (Nd_1−xCa_x)CrO₃ powders consisting of submicrometer-size particles are sinterable; dense materials can be fabricated by sintering for 2 h at 1700°C under atmospheric pressure. The relative densities, grain sizes, and electrical conductivities increase with increased Ca²⁺ content. (Nd_0.75Ca_0.25)CrO₃ materials show an excellent electrical conductivity of 1.9×10 S m⁻¹ at 1000°C.     

Synthesis, low-temperature sintering and the dielectric properties of the ZnO-(1 − x)TiO2-xSnO2 (x = 0.04-0.2)

ZnO-(1 − x)TiO₂-xSnO₂ (x = 0.04-0.2) ceramics were prepared by conventional mixed-oxide method combined with a chemical processing. Fine particle powders were prepared by chemical processing to activate the formation of compound and to improve the sinterability. One wt.% of V₂O₅ and B₂O₃ with the mole ratios of 3:1 were used to lower the sintering temperature of ceramics. The effect of Sn content on phase structure and dielectric properties were investigated. The results show that the substituting Sn for Ti accelerates the hexagonal phase transition to cubic phase, and an inverse spinel structure Zn₂(Ti_1−xSn_x)O₄ solid solution forms. The best dielectric properties obtained at x = 0.12. The ZnO-0.88TiO₂-0.12SnO₂ ceramics sintered at 900 °C exhibit a good dielectric property: ?_r = 29 and tan δ = 9.86 × 10⁻⁵. Due to their good dielectric properties, low firing characteristics, ZnO-(1 − x)TiO₂-xSnO₂ (x = 0.04-0.2) can serve as the promising microwave dielectric capacitor.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Ba2 − xSrxLa3Ti3NbO15 ceramics

High dielectric constant and low loss ceramics in the system Ba_2 − xSr_xLa₃Ti₃NbO₁₅ (x = 0-1) have been prepared by conventional solid-state ceramic route. Ba_2 − xSr_xLa₃Ti₃NbO₁₅ solid solutions adopted A₅B₄O₁₅ cation-deficient hexagonal perovskite structure for all compositions. The materials were characterized at microwave frequencies. They show a linear variation of dielectric properties with the value of x. Their dielectric constant varies from 48.34 to 43.03, quality factor Q_u × f from 20,291 to 39,088 GHz and temperature variation of resonant frequency from 8 to 1.39 ppm/°C as the value of x increases. These low loss ceramics might be used for dielectric resonator (DR) applications.     

Effects of La substitution for Nd in (Nd2−xLax)BaZnO5 solid solutions on microwave dielectric properties and crystal structure

The synthesis and microwave dielectric characterization of (Nd_2−xLa_x)BaZnO₅ solid solutions were studied. The samples obtained were single phase over the whole composition range and the lattice parameters of solid solutions were linearly increased with increasing the composition. Moreover, the expansion of the volume in the RO₈ (R=Nd and La) and BaO₁₀ polyhedra and ZnO₄ tetrahedron were recognized when Nd ions were substituted by La. These variations in the lattice parameters and volumes of the polyhedra are basically attributed to the differences in ionic radii between Nd³⁺ and La³⁺ ions. From the evaluation of microwave dielectric properties, it was shown that the appropriate τ_f values ranging from 4.6 to −5.0 ppm/°C are obtained by La substitution for Nd ion, and the highest Q · f value was 17,832 GHz at x=2.     

Influence of Bi2O3 and CuO addition on low-temperature sintering and dielectric properties of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 ceramics

In this study, we tried to lower the sintering temperature of Ba_0.6Sr_0.4TiO₃ (BST) ceramics by several kinds of adding methods of Bi₂O₃, CuO and CuBi₂O₄ additives. The effects of different adding methods on the microstructures and the dielectric properties of BST ceramics have been studied. In the all additive systems, the single addition of CuBi₂O₄ was the most effective way for lowering the sintering temperature of BST. When CuBi₂O₄ of 0.6 mol% was mixed with starting BST powders and sintered at 1100 °C, the derived ceramics demonstrated dense microstructure with a low dielectric constant (? = 4240), low dielectric loss (tan δ = 0.0058), high tunability (Tun = 38.3%) and high Q value (Q = 251). It was noteworthy that the sintering temperature was significantly lowered by 350 °C compared with no-additive system, and the derived ceramics maintained the excellent microwave dielectric properties corresponding to pure BST.     

Dielectric properties of (1−x)(Mg0.95Co0.05)TiO3-xCaTiO3 ceramic system at microwave frequency

The microwave dielectric properties and the microstructures of the (1−x)MgTiO₃-xCaTiO₃ ceramic system were investigated. With partial replacement of Mg by Co, dielectric properties of the (1−x)(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃-xCaTiO₃ ceramics can be promoted. The microwave dielectric properties are strongly correlated with the sintering temperature. At 1275°C, the 0.95(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃-0.05CaTiO₃ ceramics possesses excellent microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant ε_r of 20.3, a Q×f value of 107 000 ( at 7 GHz) and a τ_f value of −22.8 ppm/°C. By appropriately adjusting the x value in the (1−x)(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃-xCaTiO₃ ceramic system, zero τ_f value can be achieved. With x=0.07, a dielectric constant ε_γ of 21.6, a Q×f value of 92 000 (at 7 GHz) and a τ_f value of −1.8 ppm/°C was obtained for 0.93(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃-0.07CaTiO₃ ceramics sintered at 1275°C for 4 h.     

Synthesis of Ga-doped Ge-based apatites: Effect of dopant and cell symmetry on oxide ion conductivity

Apatite-type rare earth silicates/germanates are attracting significant interest as a new class of oxide ion conductors. For the germanates, La_9.33+x(GeO₄)₆O_2+3x/2, it has been shown that, depending on composition, the cell can be either hexagonal or triclinic, with evidence for reduced low temperature conductivities for the latter, attributed to increased defect trapping in this lower symmetry cell. In this paper the effect of Ga doping on the cell symmetry and conductivity is reported, with the observation of triclinic cells across the series La₁₀(GeO₄)_6−x(GaO₄)_xO_3−x/2. Through co-doping with Y on the La site, i.e. La₈Y₂(GeO₄)_6−x(GaO₄)_xO_3−x/2, it is shown that hexagonal cells are obtained, and the dependence of the conductivity on oxygen content/Ga content is discussed. In particular it is shown that the stabilisation of the hexagonal cell through Y doping enhances the low temperature conductivity.     

Enhancement microwave dielectric properties of La(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics by Substituting Mg for Co

The microwave dielectric properties of La(Mg_0.5−xCo_xSn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were examined with a view to exploiting them for mobile communication. The La(Mg_0.5−xCo_xSn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared using the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the La(Mg_0.4Co_0.1Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics revealed that La(Mg_0.4Co_0.1Sn_0.5)O₃ is the main crystalline phase, which is accompanied by small extent of La₂Sn₂O₇ as the second phase. Formation of this Sn-rich second phase was attributed to the loss of MgO upon ignition. Increasing the sintering temperatures seemed to promote the formation of La₂Sn₂O₇. An apparent density of 6.67 g cm⁻³, a dielectric constant (?_r) of 20.3, a quality factor (Q.F.) of 70,500 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −77 ppm °C⁻¹ were obtained for La(Mg_0.4Co_0.1Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h.     

Polymorphism of Bi1−xLnxO1.5 phases (0<x<0.40): Characterization of a new compound Bi4Ln2O9 (x=0.33; Ln=La, Pr, Nd)

The Bi_1−xLn_xO_1.5 solid solutions (Ln=La, Pr, Nd), of the β₂/β₁/ε (Bi-Sr-O) structural type, have been investigated in their Ln-rich domains. For Ln=La, Pr, and Nd, the upper limits are 0.35, 0.35 and 0.33, respectively. The Bi₄Ln₂O₉ ε phase (x=0.33) appears to be the single definite compound. For Bi₄La₂O₉, Bi₄Pr₂O₉ and Bi₄Nd₂O₉, the ε-type cells are respectively: a=9.484(4) Å, b=3.982(2) Å, c=7.030(3) Å, β=104.75(3)°; a=9.470(5) Å, b=3.945(2) Å, c=6.968(4) Å, β=104.73(3)° and a=9.439(3) Å, b=3.944(2) Å, c=6.923(2) Å, β=105.03(3)°. Upon heating, each monoclinic (ε) compound transforms successively into rhombohedral phases (β₂/β₁) and finally into a cubic fluorite-type phase. For La- and Pr-based compounds, all transitions are reversible; for Nd, depending on the thermal treatment, the reversibility of ε→β₂ can be incomplete. These transformations are characterized using X-ray thermodiffractometry, differential thermal analysis, dilatometry and impedance spectroscopy versus temperature. Examination of Bi₄(Ln, Ln′)₂O₉ samples allows to correlate the evolution of the thermal behavior and of the unit cell parameters, to the lanthanide size. A partial plot of the (Bi₂O₃)_1−x-(La₂O₃)_x phase diagram (0≤x≤0.40) is proposed.     

Processing, dielectric properties and impedance characteristics of Na0.5Bi0.5Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics

Na_0.5Bi_0.5Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (NBCTO) ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. The phase structure, microstructure and dielectric properties of NBCTO ceramics sintered at various temperatures with different soaking time were investigated. Pure NBCTO phase could be obtained with increasing the temperature and prolonging the soaking time. High dielectric permittivity (13,495) and low dielectric loss (0.031) could be obtained when the ceramics were sintered at 1000 °C for 7.5 h. The ceramics sintered at 1000 °C for 7.5 h also showed good temperature stability (−4.00 to −0.69%) over a large temperature range from −50 to 150 °C. Complex impedances results revealed that the grain was semiconducting and the grain boundaries was insulating. The grain resistance (R_g) was 12.10 Ω cm and the grain boundary resistance (R_gb) was 2.009 × 10⁵ Ω cm when the ceramics were sintered at 1000 °C for 7.5 h.