Dielectric,ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties in potassium sodium niobate ceramics with rhombohedral–orthorhombic and orthorhombic–tetragonal phase boundaries

A new phase boundary with rhombohedral–orthorhombic and orthorhombic–tetragonal phase boundaries is designed in (K_0.48Na_0.52)NbO₃ by adding Bi_0.5(Na_0.7K_0.2Li_0.1)_0.5ZrO₃ (BNKLZ), where Zr⁴⁺ and (BNKL)²⁺ are respectively used to improve the temperature of a rhombohedral phase and to decrease the temperature of an orthorhombic–tetragonal phase coexistence. These ceramics endure several continuous phase transitions with increasing BNKLZ content, i.e., an orthorhombic phase (0≤x<0.03), orthorhombic–tetragonal phases (x=0.03), orthorhombic–tetragonal and rhombohedral–orthorhombic (O–T and R–O) phase existence (0.03<x≤0.05), a rhombohedral phase (0.05<x≤0.07). The ceramics with O–T and R–O have a better piezoelectric behavior as compared with other phases because of more polarization states, enhanced ε_r and P_r, and a dense microstructure. Moreover, piezoelectric properties could be further optimized by modifying their sintering and poling temperatures. As a result, the construction of O–T and R–O phase coexistence benefits the improvement of piezoelectric properties in KNN-based ceramics.     

In situ fabrication of highly-dense Al2O3/YAG nanoeutectic composite ceramics by a modified laser surface processing

Alumina-matrix eutectic in situ composite ceramics present excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, which have been considered as promising next-generation ultra-high temperature structural materials. A modified laser surface processing is developed to in situ fabricate highly-dense Al₂O₃/YAG bulk nanoeutectic ceramics with large size and homogeneous three-dimensional network of nanoeutectic microstructure by introducing two-side remelting and high-temperature preheating. The crack and porosity are avoided, and the eutectic structure achieves a good continuous growth between two solidified layers. The eutectic phases show sharp interface bonding with a defined orientation relationship. The dislocations and crack deflection at high-density phase interfaces importantly contribute to the enhanced fracture toughness.     

Impact of ZrO2 alloying on thermo-mechanical properties of Gd3NbO7

The ZrO₂ alloying effect is widely used to optimize the thermo-mechanical properties of potential thermal barrier coatings. In this study, dense x mol% ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ with C222₁ space group were manufactured via a solid-state reaction. The crystalline structure was determined through X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, when the surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ had identical orthorhombic crystal structures, and there was no second phase. The crystalline structure of ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ shrunk with the increasing ZrO₂ content as indicated by XRD and Raman results. The heat capacity and thermal diffusivity of ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ were 0.31–0.43 J g⁻¹ K⁻¹ (25–900 °C) and 0.25–0.70 mm²/s (25–900 °C), respectively. It was found that ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ had much lower thermal conductivity (1.21–1.82 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, 25–900 °C) than YSZ (2.50–3.00 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹) and La₂Zr₂O₇ (1.50–2.00 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹). The thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) were higher than 10.60 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (1200 °C), which were better than that of YSZ (10.00 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) and La₂Zr₂O₇ (9.00 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹). The mechanical properties of Gd₃NbO₇ change little with the increasing ZrO₂ content, Vickers hardness was about 10 GPa, and Young's modulus was about 190 GPa, which was lower than YSZ (240 GPa). Compared with previous work about alloying effects, much lower thermal conductivity was obtained. Due to the high melting point, high hardness, low Young's modulus, ultralow thermal conductivity and high TECs, it is believed that ZrO₂-Gd₃NbO₇ is promising TBCs candidate.     

Strain properties of (1-x)Bi0.5Na0.4K0.1TiO3-xBi(Mg2/3Ta1/3)O3 electroceramics

A ternary solid solution of Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–Bi_0.5K_0.5TiO₃–Bi(Mg_2/3Ta_1/3)O₃ (BNKT-xBMT) lead-free electroceramics was synthesized by a solid-state reactive sintering technique. The electrostrain, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties as well as the impedance characteristics and the microstructure were systematically assessed. With the increase of BMT, the BNKT-xBMT ceramics gradually transformed from non-ergodic relaxor phase to ergodic relaxor phase, manifested as the ferroelectric-to-relaxor temperature (T_F-R) shifts towards below room temperature. Additionally, the ferroelectric hysteresis curves became pinched, and the strain curve changed from butterfly-shaped into sprout-shaped. At the ergodic relaxor composition of x = 0.04, a large electrostrain value (S = 0.4%; under an electric field of 60 kV/cm, d₃₃* = 632 pm/V) was achieved, which is mainly attributed to the electric-field-induced transition from the ergodic relaxor phase to the ferroelectric phase.     

Grain growth kinetics and magnetic properties of a V-doped ZnO dilute magnetic oxide

Zn_0.95V_0.05O ceramics, elaborated from milled ZnO and V₂O₅ nanopowders, were sintered at 900, 1000 and 1100 °C for 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 h. The growth kinetics was studied identifying the grain growth exponent, the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor. The high V₂O₅ concentration allowed a rapid grain growth at 900 °C only at the very first stages (t < 1 h). Meanwhile, at temperatures of 1000 and 1100 °C, the grain growth was extremely fast with a growth exponent of 0.72. The magnetic properties of the samples indicate that ferromagnetism exist in all samples in different magnitudes depending on the sintering conditions. In particular, the maximum magnetization was obtained on the sample sintered at 1100 °C for 14 h, despite the reduction of V concentration. Additionally, secondary paramagnetic phases were detected in the samples sintered at lower temperatures and shorter sintering times.     

Rapid fabrication of Al4SiC4 using a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method

As a promising high-temperature ceramic, aluminum silicon carbide (Al₄SiC₄) has attracted much attention. Al₄SiC₄ is usually synthesized at high temperatures with a long reaction time in an electric furnace. Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is a promising technique for rapid synthesis. In this study, Al₄SiC₄ was prepared by the SHS method from a mixture of silicon, aluminum and carbon black with the addition of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) as an exothermic promoter. The experimental results showed that the use of a high-pressure Ar atmosphere could retain the gaseous materials in the pellet mixture, and the PTFE additive promoted the formation of silicon carbide. In addition, the oxide layer present on the surface of silicon particles inhibited the reaction between silicon and carbon. As a result, high-purity Al₄SiC₄ could be synthesized from aluminum, silicon, and carbon black with 15 wt% PTFE under 1.0 MPa Ar atmosphere in several seconds by the SHS method.     

MOF assisted synthesis of a Ho2O3/CNT nanocomposite photocatalyst for organic pollutants degradation

In this work, a holmium oxide (Ho₂O₃/CNT) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized through a MOF assisted route for the first time. The effects of the morphology and purity on the photocatalytic behavior of the products, were investigated by determining various physicochemical properties. The Ho₂O₃/CNT nanocomposite was systematically analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy studies. The Ho₂O₃ derived from a MOF assisted synthetic route using Ho(NO₃)₃·5H₂O and terephthalic acid with a 1:1 M ratio at a temperature of 750 °C for 3 h prove the most advantageous, 98% degradation of 20 mg/L aqueous tetracycline pollutant was observed within 60 min. The elevated photocatalytic activity was mainly attributable to the unique synthetic route, improved crystallinity, wide UV-light absorption rate and excellent adsorption capabilities of CNT, as well as enhanced oxygen deficiency. The photocatalytic results confirm that the Ho₂O₃/CNT nanocomposite is an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of toxic tetracycline pollutant and is thus suitable for use in environmental remediation.     

Study of ion bombardment of SiC ceramics: Surface and interfacial reaction modification

Ar ion bombardment was conducted to modify the SiC surface microstructures, which had a vital effect on the interfacial microstructure and shear property of brazing joints. The amorphous layer with thickness of ∼120 nm was formed on the bombarded surface, accompanied with plenty of dislocations and twins beneath the amorphous layer. Reliable SiC/AgCu-Ti/SiC joints were brazed in vacuum at 900 °C for 10 min, and the interfacial microstructure was investigated by SEM, EDS and TEM in detail. When the ion bombarded SiC was used as substrates, the microstructure of brazing beam was optimized as SiC / Ti₅Si₃ + TiC mixed layer / Ag(s,s) + Cu(s,s) containing TiCu / Ti₅Si₃ + TiC mixed layer / SiC, in which the interfacial stratification was eliminated compared to the conventional SiC brazing. The shear strength was improved to 30.9 MPa with ion bombardment, which was ∼72.6 % higher than that of the original SiC joints without ion bombardment. The proposed Ar ion bombardment method provides a novel way to modify the brazability of ceramics.     

Two low-permittivity melilite ceramics in the SrO-MO-GeO2 (M = Mg,Zn) system and their temperature stability through compositional modifications

Two melilite ceramics Sr₂AGe₂O₇ (A = Mg, Zn) with low permittivity were prepared by a solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure and microstructure of the ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Both ceramics crystallized in a single melilite structure with a tetragonal space group P-42m (113) and exhibited homogeneous microstructures. Optimum microwave dielectric properties with relative permittivity (ε_r) of 8.56, quality factor (Q × f) of 28,800 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonance frequency (τ_f) of −70.5 ppm/°C were obtained in Sr₂MgGe₂O₇ sintered at 1330 °C. Sr₂ZnGe₂O₇ possessed ε_r of 8.81, Q × f of 35,700 GHz, and τ_f of −84.4 ppm/°C when sintered at 1290 °C. Thermal stability of resonance frequency was accessible when the negative τ_f values of Sr₂AGe₂O₇ were adjusted after the formation of composite ceramics with CaTiO₃.     

Elevated temperature impact on performance of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic dielectrics

The need for electronics to operate at temperatures of 200°C and above continues to grow. These applications include avionics, aerospace, automotive, downhole drilling, mining, and many others. To satisfy this demand, a significant amount of research and development has been conducted. Despite the efforts, the number of new electronic components designed specifically for high-temperature operation is still relatively limited. In Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) packages, LTCC materials are generally used as the host media for a number of pre-fabricated semiconductor components. As a result, reliability of the entire LTCC package largely depends on the performance of the least robust component. Ferro A6M-E and Ferro L8 are the two well-established and recognized LTCC dielectrics widely used for mid and high frequency LTCC applications, including several high reliability aerospace and defense applications that require demanding Mil-Spec qualifications. This study is our first attempt to characterize and understand basic high-temperature dielectric properties of these two commercial LTCC materials. The secondary objective is to initiate a dialogue in attempt to establish reliability requirements for LTCC packages dedicated for high-temperature operation.