Low-Fired (Zn,Mg)TiO3 Microwave Dielectrics

A dielectric ceramic comprised of (Zn_{1- x} Mg _x )TiO₃ ( x = 0 to x = 0.5) with low sintering temperature and promising microwave properties was prepared by applying a semichemical synthesis route and a microbeads milling technique. X-ray diffractometry and thermal analyses results indicated that the phase stability region of the hexagonal (Zn,Mg)TiO₃ extended to higher temperatures as the amount of magnesium increased. The dielectric properties in this system exhibited a significant dependence on the sintering conditions, especially near the phase decomposition temperature. From 950°C, the temperature compensation characteristics occurred as the phase composition changed from hexagonal (Zn,Mg)TiO₃ to two phases: (Zn,Mg)₂TiO₄ and rutile. The magnesium content for zero temperature coefficient (tau_f) was ~3 mol% at 950°C; however, tau_f increased with the sintering temperatures because of the shift of the decomposition temperature.