Microwave dielectric properties of BiNbO4 ceramics with CuO–V2O5 addition

BiNbO₄ ceramics were developed by using CuO–V₂O₅ as a liquid phase sintering agent. The resultant dielectric properties were analyzed in terms of the densification and the amount of CuO–V₂O₅ sintering agent. The addition of 0.8 wt.% CuO–V₂O₅ as its sintering agent was observed to perform most satisfactory. At 850 °C, uniform and enhanced microstructure was observed for the BiNbO₄ specimen with 0.8 wt.% CuO–V₂O₅ addition. Furthermore, the effect of CuO–V₂O₅ addition on the microwave dielectric properties of BiNbO₄ was also investigated. As the sintering temperature increased to 900 °C, the dielectric constant increased but nearly constant and the quality factor (QF) showed a maximum at 850 °C and then decreased for all compositions of the 900 °C sintered specimens. With an increase in CuO–V₂O₅ content, the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) increased in accordance with the dielectric mixing rule and microstructural behavior.     

Microwave dielectric properties of low-fired Li2MnO3 ceramics co-doped with LiF–TiO2

Li₂MnO₃ ceramics co-doped with 2 wt% LiF and x wt% TiO₂ (x=0, 3, 5, 7, 10) were prepared by solid-state reaction for low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) applications. The sintering temperatures of Li₂MnO₃ ceramics were successfully lowered to 925°C due to the formation of a LiF liquid phase. Their temperature stability was improved by doping with TiO₂. A typical Li₂MnO₃-2 wt% LiF-5 wt% TiO₂ sample with well-densified microstructures displayed optimum dielectric properties (ε_r=13.8, Q×f= 23,270 GHz, τ_f=1.2 ppm/°C). Such sample was compatible with Ag electrodes, which suggests suitability of the developed material for LTCC applications in wireless communication systems.     

Influence of Li2O–B2O3–SiO2 glass on the sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of BaO–0.15ZnO–4TiO2 ceramics

This paper reports the investigation of the performance of Li₂O–B₂O₃–SiO₂ (LBS) glass as a sintering aid to lower the sintering temperature of BaO–0.15ZnO–4TiO₂ (BZT) ceramics, as well as the detailed study on the sintering behavior, phase evolution, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of the resulting BZT ceramics. The addition of LBS glass significantly lowers the sintering temperature of the BZT ceramics from 1150 °C to 875–925 °C. Small amount of LBS glass promotes the densification of BZT ceramic and improves the dielectric properties. However, excessive LBS addition leads to the precipitation of glass phase and growth of abnormal grain, deteriorating the dielectric properties of the BZT ceramic. The BZT ceramic with 5 wt% LBS addition sintered at 900 °C shows excellent microwave dielectric properties: ε_r=27.88, Q×f=14,795 GHz.     

Microwave dielectric properties of high dielectric tunable - low permittivity Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3–Mg2(Ti0.95Sn0.05)O4 composite ceramics

Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃–Mg₂(Ti_0.95Sn_0.05)O₄ composite ceramics have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction. Phase structure, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties have been systematically characterized. The permittivity is tailored to a certain extent with the addition of Mg₂(Ti_0.95Sn_0.05)O₄. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and back electric image (BEI) analysis show the co-existence of two-phase structures of ABO₃ perovskite and A₂BO₄ spinel structure. A high dielectric tunablity can be obtained and a high Q value can be achieved at microwave frequency. The composition 30 wt.%Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃–70 wt.%Mg₂(Ti_0.95Sn_0.05)O₄ exhibits good dielectric properties with ? of 79, Q of 152 (at 2.997 GHz) and T of 15.8% (30 kV/cm & 10 kHz) at room temperature, which make it a promising candidate for tunable microwave device applications in the wireless communication system.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (Ba1−xSrx)(Mg0.5W0.5)O3 ceramics

The densification, microstructural evolution and microwave dielectric properties of (Ba_1−xSr_x)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ ceramics with x=0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 are investigated in this study. The sintering temperature of the (Ba_1−xSr_x)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ is significantly reduced from 1575 °C to 1400 °C as the x value increases from 0 to 0.25 and 0.50; this result is accompanied by the formation of the (Ba_1−ySr_y)WO₄ phase and a small quantity of second phase surrounding the grains. The grain size of the (Ba_1−xSr_x)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ ceramics is increased by raising the Sr²⁺ content, which significantly lowers the sintering temperature. The microstructure of the (Ba_0.75Sr_0.25)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ ceramic displays the smallest average grain size of approximately 0.8 μm, with a narrow grain size distribution. Without long annealing time, very high Q×f values are obtained for the (Ba_1−xSr_x)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ ceramics sintered at 1400–1575 °C for a duration of only 2 h. The (Ba_0.75Sr_0.25)(Mg_0.5W_0.5)O₃ ceramic sintered at 1400 °C results in the best microwave dielectric properties, including ε_r of 20.6, Q×f of 152,600 GHz and τ_f of +24.0 ppm/°C.     

Microwave dielectric properties and microstructures of Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5−xTix)O3 ceramics

This study elucidates the microwave dielectric properties and microstructures of Nd(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5?xTi_x)O₃ ceramics with a view to their potential for microwave devices. The Nd(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5?xTi_x)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the Nd(Mg_0.5Sn_0.4Ti_0.1)O₃ ceramics revealed no significant variation of phase with sintering temperatures. A dielectric constant (?_r) of 21.1, a quality factor (Q × f) of 50,000 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of ?60 ppm/°C were obtained for Nd(Mg_0.5Sn_0.4Ti_0.1)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h.     

Phase analysis and microwave dielectric properties of BaO–Nd2O3–5TiO2 composite ceramics using variable size TiO2 reagents

There are significant inconsistencies in published literature surrounding the phase analysis and physical properties of ceramics with the nominal composition BaO–Nd₂O₃–5TiO₂ (BNT125). A careful phase analysis investigation of BNT125 ceramics using variable size TiO₂ reagents was therefore undertaken using XRD, FESEM and EPMA with corresponding dielectric properties characterised over 2–3 GHz. Three distinct phases were consistently formed: Ba_6?3xNd_8+2xTi₁₈O₅₄ (x ～ 0.67), Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀ and TiO₂. The use of nano-scale TiO₂ reagents significantly reduced porosity and improved the dielectric properties of the composite ceramics, while markedly reducing processing times. Structural and crystal chemical indications as to the origin of this system's physical properties are discussed, with these results providing new insights into optimisation paths for microwave dielectric materials of this type.     

Sintering behaviour and microwave dielectric properties of MgO–2B2O3–xwt％BaCu(B2O5)–ywt％H3BO3 ceramics

This study investigates the bulk density, sintering behaviour, and microwave dielectric properties of the MgO–2B2O3 series ceramics synthesised by solid-state r...     

Microwave dielectric properties of (0.75ZnAl2O4–0.25TiO2)–MgTiO3 ceramics prepared using digital light processing technology

ZTM ceramics comprising of 0.75ZnAl₂O₄–0.25TiO₂ and MgTiO₃ at a ratio of 90:10 wt.% are widely used in the field of communication as filters and resonators owing to their excellent microwave dielectric properties. However, the development of such dielectrics with complex structures, as required by microwave devices, is difficult using traditional fabrication methods. In this study, ZTM microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared using the digital light processing (DLP) technology. The influence of the sintering temperature on the phase composition, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of ZTM ceramics was investigated. Results showed that with an increase in the sintering temperature, the dielectric constant (ε_r) and quality factor (Q × f) of ZTM ceramics initially increased owing to the increase in the density and diffusion of ions. However, when the sintering temperature was excessively high, the abnormal growth of crystal grains and micropores led to a decrease in ε_r and Q × f. The ZTM ceramics sintered at 1450°C exhibited the optimum microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 12.99, Q × f = 69 245 GHz, τ_f = −9.50 ppm/°C) owing to the uniform microstructure and a high relative density of 95.02%. These results indicate that DLP is a promising method for preparing high-performance microwave dielectric ceramics with complex structures.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1−x)ZnTa2O6−xMgNb2O6 ceramics

Single phase MgNb₂O₆ and ZnTa₂O₆ powders were synthesized by solid-state method, and the high quality factor composite ceramics of (1?x)ZnTa₂O₆?xMgNb₂O₆ (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 1.0) were prepared using the as-synthesized powders. The microwave dielectric properties, microstructure, phase transition and sintering behavior of the composite ceramics were investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that solid solution between ZnTa₂O₆ and MgNb₂O₆ phases appeared in the composite ceramic. SEM results show that the grain sizes of the composite ceramics increased with increasing x values. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of (1?x)ZnTa₂O₆?xMgNb₂O₆ composite ceramics reaches near-zero of 1.02 ppm/°C with ε_r=35.58 and a high quality factor of 65500 GHz when x=0.20 and sintered at 1350 °C for 2 h.     

Microwave dielectric properties of CaWO4–Li2TiO3 ceramics added with LBSCA glass for LTCC applications

In this work, 0.86CaWO₄–0.14Li₂TiO₃ ceramics were prepared via a traditional solid-state process. The effects of Li₂O–B₂O₃–SiO₂–CaO–Al₂O₃ (LBSCA) addition on the phase formation, sintering character, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were investigated. A small amount of LBSCA addition could effectively lower the sintering temperature of the ceramics. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that CaWO₄ and Li₂TiO₃ phases coexisted without producing any other crystal phases in the sintered ceramics. The dielectric constant and Qf values were related to the amount of LBSCA addition and sintering temperatures. All specimens could obtain near-zero temperature coefficient (τ_f) values through the compensation of the positive τ_f of Li₂TiO₃ and the negative τ_f of CaWO₄. The 0.86CaWO₄–0.14Li₂TiO₃ ceramic with 0.5 wt% LBSCA addition and sintered at 900 °C for 3 h exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties of ε_r=12.43, Qf=76,000 GHz and τ_f=−2.9 ppm/°C.     

Dielectric tunable properties of high dielectric breakdown Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3–Zn2P2O7 composite ceramics

Dielectric properties of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃–xZn₂P₂O₇ (x = 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 wt%) composite ceramics, which were prepared by solid-state reaction process, were intensively investigated. The results showed that the Curie temperature (T_c) of composites gradually shifted to lower temperature (?140 °C) with increasing the content of Zn₂P₂O₇, and the dielectric constant were tuned effectively from 2020 to 107, while maintaining a relatively high tunability. Zn₂P₂O₇ additions remarkably inhibited the grain growth of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ phases, and improved the breakdown strength of samples up to 385 kV/cm. The sample with x = 10 wt% exhibited good dielectric properties (?_r = 290, tg δ = 0.0006, T = 20.5%, BDS = 297 kV/cm). Meanwhile Zn₂P₂O₇ addition also made the T_c far away from the room temperature, which reduced the sensitivity of the dielectric constant to temperature change and simultaneously improved the stability of materials.     

Preparation of PTCR ceramics in the BaO–Nb2O5–TiO2 system

The PTCR effect was investigated in the ferroelectric BaNb₂O₆ phase doped with TiO₂. Composite ceramics formed after sintering in a reducing atmosphere and subsequent reoxidation show the PTCR effect at around 70 and 300°C, respectively. Both PTCR anomalies are associated with the formation of high resistivity grain boundaries after controlled oxidation of reduced constituent phases.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Mn-doped BaO–(Nd0.7,Sm0.3)2O3–4TiO2 ceramic sintered in a reducing atmosphere

The effect of MnCO₃ doped from 0 to 55 mol% into BaO–(Nd_0.7Sm_0.3)₂O₃–4TiO₂ (BNST) sintered in a reducing atmosphere on the microstructure and electrical properties was studied. Mn³⁺ completely substituted into Ti⁴⁺-sites of BNST to form a solid solution, so there is no second phase until 42 mol% which is the maximum solubility. Mn (<42 mol%)-doped BNST sintered in a reducing atmosphere is in a semi-conducing state because the concentration of free electron is higher than that of the acceptors. On the other hand, when Mn content doped into BNST exceeds a critical value (>43 mol%), the second Mn-rich phase due to excess of Mn³⁺ substituted into Ti⁴⁺-site, corresponding to original BaO–(Nd_0.7Sm_0.3)₂O₃–4TiO₂ (1 1 4) phase, is formed. Mn (>43 mol%)-doped BNST sintered in a reducing atmosphere is in an insulating state because the concentration of the acceptors is higher than that of liberated free electron, so the insulation resistance becomes high and tan δ becomes low. The formation of the second Mn-rich phase affects Q × f factor and temperature coefficient of capacitance (T.C.C.) of BNST significantly.     

BaO–TiO2 microwave ceramics

In this paper, the structure and dielectric properties of BaO–TiO₂ system ceramics were studied. By adding ZnO and Nb₂O₅ as sintering agents to the raw materials, the BaO–TiO₂ system ceramics were sintered at a temperature of 1260 °C for 2 h and have superior dielectric properties at 1 GHz: quality factor Q=12,500, relative dielectric constant ε_r≈37, temperature coefficient of dielectric constant α_ε=0±30 ppm/°C. XRD pattern shows that the main crystal phase of the ceramics is Ba₂Ti₉O₂₀, accompanied by a small number of additional phases: BaTi₄O₉, Ba₄Ti₁₃Zn₇O₃₄, Ba₄Ti₁₃O₃₀ and Ti₂Nb₁₀O₂₉, etc. The initial Ba/Ti ratio has a great effect on the dielectric properties of the ceramics, which can be explained by the variance in the formation of phases due to different Ba/Ti ratios.     

High permittivity and low loss dielectric ceramics in the BaO–La2O3–TiO2–Ta2O5 system

Dielectric ceramics were synthesized and characterized in the BaO–La₂O₃–TiO₂–Ta₂O₅ quaternary system for the three typical compositions: Ba₃La₃Ti₅Ta₅O₃₀, Ba₄La₂Ti₄Ta₆O₃₀ and Ba₅LaTi₃Ta₇O₃₀, which formed the filled tungsten-bronze structures. The present ceramics indicated high dielectric constant ε (127.7–148.1) and low dielectric loss tanδ (in the order of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³ at 1 MHz). Meanwhile, the temperature coefficient of dielectric constant τ_ε varied from −728 to −1347 ppm/°C with increasing Ba and Ta and decreasing La and Ti concentration in the temperature range of 20–85 °C. The present ceramics are promising candidates for high-ε and low loss dielectric ceramics, and the suppression of τ_ε should be the primary issue in the future work.     

Structure,relaxation behaviors and nonlinear dielectric properties of BaTiO3–Bi(Ti0.5Mg0.5)O3 ceramics

(1−x)BaTiO₃–xBi(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ (BT–BMT, x=0–0.2, abbreviated as BT–BMT100x) ceramics were prepared by using a solid state reaction process. Their crystal structure, microstructure, conduction behavior, dielectric and tunability properties were investigated. It is found that the tetragonal phase and a pseudocubic phase coexist for x≤0.15 and transform to a pseudocubic phase at x=0.20. With the incorporation of BMT, BT–BMT becomes more insulating. The activation energies of the conduction are respectively 1.15(1) and 1.54(1) eV for grain and grain boundary of BT–BMT20. Furthermore, an abnormal nonlinear dielectric tunable behavior is observed. The dielectric permittivity first slightly increases until reaching the threshold electric field, and then suddenly decreases. This abnormal nonlinear dielectric behavior is attributed to the synergetic effects of the clamped oxygen vacancies and excessive aggregation of Bi at the grain boundaries.     

A novel Na0.5K0.5NbO3–La(Zn0.5Ti0.5)O3 ceramics with excellent dielectric properties at wide temperature range

Ceramic-based dielectrics are considered as the best candidates for high temperature capacitors because of their outstanding mechanical and electrical properties. Nevertheless, conventional barium titanate-based capacitors show narrow operating temperature ranges owing to the low tetragonal-cubic phase transition temperature. In order to increase the working temperature and relative permittivity, a novel (1-x)Na_0.5K_0.5NbO₃- xLa(Zn_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ (NKN-xLZT) ceramics were chosen to meet the targets in this work. The NKN-xLZT ceramics with sub-micrometer grains (0.2–0.4 μm) were synthesized via a conventional solid-state sintering route. A relative permittivity (ε’ = 1560 ± 15%) with low loss tangent over wide temperature range from 96 °C to 350 °C was obtained in the x = 0.02 ceramics. Additionally, the crystal structure distortion and conduction behaviors of the NKN-xLZT ceramics were systematically studied. The decrease of oxygen octahedron distortion induced a weak polarization, and the high resistance (9 × 10⁶ Ωcm at 400 °C) greatly suppressed the long-term migration of defective ions in the ceramics. Therefore, the low loss tangent and high permittivity were still stabilized at the high temperature. It believes that the NKN-xLZT ceramic system in this work will become one of the most promising candidates for high-temperature capacitor devices.     

Effect of WO3 doping on dielectric and ferroelectric properties of 0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.06BaTiO3 ceramics

WO₃(0–6 mol%)-doped 0.94Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–0.06BaTiO₃ lead-free ceramics were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The effect of WO₃ addition on the structure and electrical properties were investigated. The result revealed that a small amount of WO₃ (≤1 mol%) can diffuse into the lattice and does not significantly affect the phase structure, however, more addition will result in distortion and enlargement of the unit cells. The maximum permittivity temperature (T_m) is suppressed dramatically as the dopant increasing, while the depolarization temperature (T_d) fall to the minimum with 1 mol% WO₃ additive. The remanent polarization (P_r) was enhanced and coercive field (E_c) was reduced by doping with WO₃. The strain shows the largest value for 1 mol% doped sample, which is due to a field-induced antiferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition.     

Microwave dielectric properties and infrared reflectivity spectra analysis of two novel low-firing AgCa2B2V3O12 (B = Mg,Zn) ceramics with garnet structure

Two Ag-containing microwave dielectric ceramics AgCa₂B₂V₃O₁₂ (B?=?Mg, Zn) with garnet structure were prepared through solid-state reaction method. Dense ceramics were obtained at low sintering temperatures, 665?°C for AgCa₂Zn₂V₃O₁₂ and 730?°C for AgCa₂Mg₂V₃O₁₂. Their microwave dielectric properties were characterized for the first time and analyzed by means of packing fraction, bond valence, octahedral distortion, Raman spectra and infrared reflectivity spectra. Both compounds displayed high chemical compatibility with Ag electrodes. Additionally, thermally stable ceramics with near-zero temperature coefficients of resonance frequency (τ_f) were achieved by forming ceramic composites with CaTiO₃.