Phase formation, sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of bismuth and manganese co-doped [(Pb, Ca) La](Fe, Nb)O3+δ solid solution

The phase formation, sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of Bi₂O₃ and MnO₂ co-doped (Pb, Ca) La](Fe, Nb)O_3+δ (PCLFN) ceramics were investigated. The Bi₂O₃ and MnO₂ binary dopants formed stable and low melting temperature solubilities at grain boundary which resulted in an effectively lowered sintering temperature by about 140 °C a more rapid sintering process and enhanced bulk densities. Sintering procedure has significant effect on grain size and porosities in ceramics. With high sintering temperature and time, the evaporation of PbO scaled up from surface toward the bulk and resulted in a Pb²⁺ deficient layer up to 0.25 mm depth under ceramic surface. Investigation of sintering dynamic revealed that either volume diffusion or second-order interface mechanism controlled the grain growth in present system. An optimal microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 91.1, Q _f = 4,870 GHz and τ _f = 18.5 ppm/°C could be obtained in Bi₂O₃ and MnO₂ co-doped (Pb, Ca) La](Fe, Nb)O_3+δ ceramics sintered at 1,050 °C for 4 h when the quality ratio of Bi₂O₃/MnO₂ was 1 and the doping content w = 1 wt%.