Improvements in the Sintering Behavior and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Geikielite-Type MgTiO3 Ceramics

Microwave dielectric ceramics based on geikielite-type MgTiO₃ were prepared by an aqueous sol–gel process. The precursor powders and dielectric ceramics were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and microwave methods. Highly reactive nanosized magnesium titanate powders with particle sizes of 20 nm to 40 nm were successfully obtained at 500°C as precursors. Sintering characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO₃ ceramics were studied as a function of sintering temperature from 1100°C to 1300°C. With increasing sintering temperature, the density, ε _r, and Qf values increased, saturating at 1200°C with excellent microwave properties of ε _r = 17.5, Qf = 156,300 GHz, and τ _f  = ?44 ppm/°C. Correlations between the microstructure and dielectric properties of MgTiO₃ ceramics were also investigated.