Effects of cerium doping on the microstructure,mechanical properties,thermal conductivity,and dielectric properties of ZrP2O7 ceramics

A two-step method, combined with cold isostatic pressing, was used to prepare CeO₂-doped ZrP₂O₇ ceramics, and their microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal conductivities, and dielectric properties were determined. It was found that CeO₂ doping could increase the Zr–P and P–O bond lengths, which in turn decreased the thermal conductivity of the ZrP₂O₇ matrix. Doping with 12 wt% CeO₂ simultaneously reduced the sintering temperature and improved the mechanical properties of the ZrP₂O₇ ceramics, while retaining its low thermal conductivity and good dielectric properties. The maximum cold modulus of rupture of a sample at 1250 °C was 75.91 MPa, which met most conditions for use at room temperature. A COMSOL model was used to predict the thermal conductivity, based on the microstructure, with a relatively high degree of accuracy. The thermal conductivity of the CeO₂-doped samples was lower than 1.083 W/(m·K). The dielectric constant was in the range of 5.93–6.52 at 20–40 GHz, and the dielectric loss was less than 4 × 10^?3. The ZrP₂O₇-doped ceramics have potential for application in millimetre wave technology, satellite communication, and vehicle radar fields, because they can meet the high thermal insulation requirements for these applications.