Structure and microwave dielectric properties of novel walstromite-type MCa2Si3O9 (M = Ba,Sr) ceramics

Novel walstromite-type MCa₂Si₃O₉ (M = Ba, Sr) ceramics, with triclinic space group P-1, were prepared through a solid-state reaction method. The P–V-L theory proves that the lattice energy and bond energy of the Si–O bond play a leading role in the quality factor and the dielectric constant is mainly determined by the ionic polarization. Excellent microwave dielectric properties of BaCa₂Si₃O₉ and SrCa₂Si₃O₉ ceramics could be obtained: ε_r = 8.99 ± 0.23, Q × f = 44,542 ± 500 GHz, and τ_f = −25.9 ± 3.0 ppm/°C and ε_r = 7.39 ± 0.23, Q × f = 48,772 ± 500 GHz, and τ_f = −27.5 ± 3.0 ppm/°C, when sintered at 1240/1280 °C for 4 h. Then SrCa₂Si₃O₉ ceramic is applied to a new microstrip bandpass filter, because of its high microwave dielectric properties and low thermal expansion coefficient. With reduced dimension, the filtering performance of the circuit is also highly improved, including reduced capacitor parasitic effect and the optimized stopband insertion loss. Accordingly, the SrCa₂Si₃O₉ ceramic is a promising candidate for sub-6 GHz a filter of microstrip bandpass applications.     

Modulation of microwave dielectric properties in melilite-structured SrREGa3O7 (RE = La,Pr) ceramics

Gallium-based SrREGa₃O₇ (RE = La, Pr) melilite ceramics were prepared and selected to modify their microwave dielectric properties. Sintered at 1425 °C for 6 h, SrLaGa₃O₇ (SLGO) and SrPrGa₃O₇ (SPGO) ceramics exhibited high relative densities of 98.33 and 95.23%, low ε_r values of 11.8 and 10.9, Q×f values of 32,500 GHz (at 12.1 GHz) and 26,400 GHz (at 12.7 GHz), negative τ_f values of ?32 and ?54 ppm/°C. As a compensator, CaTiO₃ can tune the τ_f values of SLGO and SPGO to near zero (+2 and ?4 ppm/°C). In SrREGa₃O₇ melilite ceramics, the ε_r and τ_f values are mainly dependent on ionic polarizability, crystal structure and the “rattling” effect. The micromorphology, XPS, Raman spectrum and A-site bond valence (V_RE) of SrREGa₃O₇ (RE = La, Pr) microwave dielectric ceramics have also been comprehensively reported.     

Preparation and microwave dielectric properties of BaLi1+xF3+x (x = 0–0.01) ceramics

BaLi_1+xF_3+x (x = 0–0.01) were successfully mechanosynthesized by a simple ball-milling process. The effects of excessive LiF and sintering method and/or annealing atmosphere on its sintering behavior, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties have been investigated in this paper. The mechanosynthesized powder can be densified with relative densities of ∼95 % after sintering at 750–800 °C/2 h in N₂. The obtained ceramics exhibit excellent optimized microwave dielectric properties with ε_r of ∼11.46 ± 0.06, Q×f values of 83175 ± 1839 GHz and τ_f of ∼ − 70 ± 3 ppm/°C at the x = 0.006 composition. Its Q×f value could be improved to 94603 ± 2037 GHz) by post-annealing in N₂ after post annealing at 700 °C/2 h. The Q×f value could be further improved to (120,098 ± 2344 GHz) by hot-pressed sintering (HPS). Sintering in the ambient atmosphere or O₂ leads to lower Q×f values than those of the counterparts sintered in N₂ due to the introduction of F-vacancies by oxidation_, while little variation in ε_r andτ_f.     

Structure and dielectric properties of novel low temperature co-fired Bi2O3-RE2O3-MoO3 (RE=Pr,Nd, Sm,and Yb) based microwave ceramics

Novel monoclinic Bi₂O₃-xRE₂O₃-yMoO₃ (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Yb) based low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) systems with high sintering density and low microwave dielectric loss are synthesized by conventional solid state reaction technique. The structure and dielectric properties of Bi₂O₃-xRE₂O₃-yMoO₃ ceramics are investigated. Dense BiNdMoO₆ ceramics sintered at 900 °C for 8 h in air have a low dielectric constant ε_r=~7.5, a high quality factor Q×f=~ 24, 800 GHz at 7.0 GHz, and τ_f=~−16 ppm/̊C. Especially, good chemical compatibility of BiNdMoO₆ with Ag electrodes is represented as well. In contrast, BiSmMoO₆ ceramics sintered at 1000 °C for 8 h show enhanced Q×f=~43, 700 GHz at 7.8 GHz with ε_r=~8.5 and τ_f=~−27 ppm/°C. Bi₂O₃-xRE₂O₃-yMoO₃ (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Yb) based ceramics could be considered as promising microwave ceramics for LTCC applications.     

Crystal structures,bond characteristics,and dielectric properties of novel middle-εr Ln3NbO7 (Ln = Nd,Sm) microwave dielectric ceramics with opposite temperature coefficients

This study synthesized two novel middle-ε_r Ln₃NbO₇ (Ln = Nd, Sm; named NNO and SNO) microwave dielectric ceramics through the classic solid-state process. The results of XRD and Rietveld refinement show that NNO and SNO ceramics formed pure phases with the space group Cmcm (63) and C222₁ (20), respectively. The properties of Ln-O and Nb–O bonds of NNO and SNO ceramics were calculated based on the P–V–L theory. The Nb–O bonds positively affect the crystal structure stability of the two ceramics. The optimum microwave dielectric properties were obtained (NNO: ε_r = 31.61, Q·f = 6,615 GHz (at 6.10 GHz), and τ_f = ?455.70 ppm/°C; SNO: ε_r = 34.55, Q·f = 11,625 GHz (at 5.77 GHz) and τ_f = 72.59 ppm/°C) when the samples sintered at 1550 °C. Notably, SNO ceramic shows a low dielectric loss and medium dielectric constant, and the opposite τ_f of NNO and SNO ceramics provide the possibility to fabricate microwave dielectric devices with good temperature stability.     

High-Qf value and temperature stable Zn2+-Mn4+ cooperated modified cordierite-based microwave and millimeter-wave dielectric ceramics

Cordierite-based dielectric ceramics with a lower dielectric constant would have significant application potential as dielectric resonator and filter materials for future ultra-low-latency 5G/6G millimeter-wave and terahertz communication. In this article, the phase structure, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics are studied by crystal structure refinement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), the theory of complex chemical bonds and infrared reflectance spectrum. Meanwhile, complex double-ions coordinated substitution and two-phase complex methods were used to improve its Q×f value and adjust its temperature coefficient. The Q×f values of Mg₂Al_4–2x(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_2xSi₅O₁₈ single-phase ceramics are increased from 45,000 GHz@14.7 GHz (x = 0) to 150,500 GHz@14.5 GHz (x = 0.15) by replacing Al³⁺ with Zn²⁺-Mn⁴⁺. The positive frequency temperature coefficient additive TiO₂ is used to prepare the temperature stable Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ composite ceramic. The composite ceramic of Mg₂Al_3.7(Mn_0.5Zn_0.5)_0.3Si₅O₁₈-ywt%TiO₂ (8.7 wt% ≤ y ≤ 10.6 wt%) presents the near-zero frequency temperature coefficient at 1225 °C sintering temperature: ε_r = 5.68, Q×f = 58,040 GHz, τ_f = ?3.1 ppm/°C (y = 8.7 wt%) and ε_r = 5.82, Q×f = 47,020 GHz, τ_f = +2.4 ppm/°C (y = 10.6 wt%). These findings demonstrate promising application prospects for 5 G and future microwave and millimeter-wave wireless communication technologies.     

Effects of sintering parameters and Nd doping on the microwave dielectric properties of Y2O3 ceramics

Y₂O₃ ceramics with good dielectric properties were prepared via co-precipitation reaction and subsequent sintering in a muffle furnace. The effects of Nd doping and sintering temperature on microwave dielectric properties were studied. With the increase in sintering temperature, the density, quality factor (Q×f), and dielectric constant (ε_r) values of pure Y₂O₃ ceramics increased to the maximum and then gradually decreased. The Y₂O₃ ceramics sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h showed optimal dielectric properties: ε_r=10.76, Q×f=82, 188 GHz, and τ_f=−54.4 ppm/°C. With the addition of Nd dopant, the Q×f values, ε_r, and τ_f of the Nd: Y₂O₃ ceramics apparently increased, but excessive amount degraded the quality factor. The Y₂O₃ ceramics with 2 at% Nd₂O₃ sintered at 1460 °C displayed good microwave dielectric properties: ε_r=10.4, Q×f=94, 149 GHz and τ_f=−46.2 ppm/°C.     

Ge-doped Li3+xMg2Nb1-xGexO6 ceramics with enhanced low loss and high temperature stability properties

New high-performance materials have attracted much attention due to ever-increasing demands for advanced communication technologies. In present work, Ge-doped Li_3+xMg₂Nb_1-xGe_xO₆ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) ceramics are prepared via solid-state reaction route. Microstructural analysis and crystal structure refinement reveal that moderate substitution can promote grain growth and modify crystal structure, thus enhancing microwave dielectric properties of composites. In that sense, special attention is paid to the behavior of dielectric constant ε_r, quality factor Q×f, and frequency temperature coefficient τ_f of final products. In these systems, ε_r parameter depends on the density, miscellaneous phases, and polarizability; Q×f value is shown to be influenced by Nb-O bond energy, grain size, and bulk density; finally, τ_f characteristic refers to Nb-O bond valence and NbO₆ octahedral distortion. Among above ceramics, Li_3.02Mg₂Nb_0.98Ge_0.02O₆ composite sintered at 1250 °C exhibits outstanding microwave absorption performance with ε_r = 15.32, Q×f = 969 88 GHz, and τ_f = ?8.25 ppm/°C.     

Tuning of microwave dielectric properties of garnets Ca3Mg2CV2O12 (C = Si,Ti) through compression and expansion effects

Two novel low-ε_r Ca₃Mg₂CV₂O₁₂ (C = Si, Ti) ceramics with the garnet structure were synthesized by a traditional solid-state reaction method. Rietveld refinements based on XRD patterns show both the compounds crystallized into a cubic structure with the Ia-3d space group. Outstanding microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 9.70, Q × f = 35,680 GHz, and τ_f = ?60.1 ppm/°C for Ca₃Mg₂SiV₂O₁₂ ceramic; ε_r = 11.70, Q × f = 48,530 GHz, and τ_f = ?43.7 ppm/°C for Ca₃Mg₂TiV₂O₁₂ ceramic) were obtained at 1240 °C and 1260 °C, respectively. The bond valence calculations reveal that Ca²⁺ at the A-site and Mg²⁺ at the B-site are slightly compressed, in combination with “rattling” Si⁴⁺ and “compressed” V⁵⁺ in the C-site of Ca₃Mg₂SiV₂O₁₂ compared to “rattling” V⁵⁺and “compressed” Ti⁴⁺ in Ca₃Mg₂TiV₂O₁₂, resulting in a negative deviation of ?7.16% for Ca₃Mg₂SiV₂O₁₂ and a positive value of 5.66% for Ca₃Mg₂TiV₂O₁₂ between the porosity corrected ε_r(Corr) (10.11 and 11.95) and theoretical ε_th (10.89 and 11.31) calculated by the C-M equation. The overall “rattling” effect in Ca₃Mg₂TiV₂O₁₂ results in a higher ε_r and a nearer to zero τ_f compared to Ca₃Mg₂SiV₂O₁₂. Besides, the Q × f values of Ca₃Mg₂CV₂O₁₂ (C = Si, Ti) ceramics were correlated with relative density and Raman mode (A_1g).     

Crystal structure,Raman spectra and microwave dielectric properties of novel temperature-stable LiYbSiO4 ceramics

Olivine−type structure microwave dielectric ceramics LiYbSiO₄ with near-zero τ_f were fabricated by solid-state reaction process for the first time. The relationships among structural parameters, sintering behavior, vibrational modes and microwave dielectric properties for the ceramics were studied. The variation in ε_r could be correlated with Raman shift. The variation in Q×f values was inversely correlated to FWMH and average cation covalency. The τ_f values were explained with the bond valence sum of cations. Single phase LiYbSiO₄ ceramics could be obtained at the range of 1100–1140 °C and showed promising microwave dielectric properties with ε_r = 7.36 – 7.42, Q×f = 19081 – 25276 GHz and τ_f = +4.52 – +8.03 ppm/°C.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Ca1.15RE0.85Al0.85Ti0.15O4 (RE=Nd,La, Y) ceramics prepared by the reaction sintering method

Ca_1.15RE_0.85Al_0.85Ti_0.15O₄ (RE = Nd, La, Y) ceramics were prepared by a reaction sintering method. The sintering behavior, phase composition, microstructure and microwave dielectric performances of ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns illustrated that both the Ca_1.15Nd_0.85Al_0.85Ti_0.15O₄(CNAT) and Ca_1.15Y_0.85Al_0.85Ti_0.15O₄(CYAT) ceramics are single-phase structures, and the Ca_1.15La_0.85Al_0.85Ti_0.15O₄(CLAT) ceramic contain LaAlO₃ and CaO phases. The apparent morphology and elemental distribution of the ceramic samples were analyzed by using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. When the sintering temperature is 1500 °C, the CNAT and CYAT ceramics have the best microwave dielectric properties with ε_r = 19.2, Q × f = 74924 GHz, τ_f = ?1.21 ppm/°C and ε_r = 17.5, Q × f = 27440 GHz, τ_f = ?5.79 ppm/°C, respectively. And the best microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 17.5, Q × f = 22568 GHz, τ_f = ?14.69 ppm/°C were obtained for the CLAT ceramic sintered at 1525 °C. The reaction sintering method provides a low-cost, economical and straightforward method for the preparation of the Ca_1.15RE_0.85Al_0.85Ti_0.15O₄ (RE = Nd, La, Y) ceramics, which has promising potential for application.     

Effect of Li nonstoichiometry and TiO2 addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Li3PO4 ceramics

Li₃PO₄ ceramic is a promising microwave ceramic material with low dielectric constant. The effect of Li nonstoichiometry on phase compositions, microstructures, and microwave dielectric characteristics of Li₃PO₄ ceramics, on the other hand, has been examined infrequently. Therefore, in the first part of this study, the stoichiometry and Li nonstoichiometry compositions based on Li_3+xPO₄(x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12 and 0.15) were prepared by conventional solid-phase method. The results show that a few nonstoichiometric lithium ions enter the lattice of Li_3+xPO₄. Compared with the chemical content of Li₃PO₄, the sintering characteristics, relative dielectric constants and quality factors of Li_3+xPO₄ ceramics can be improved by slightly excessive Li ions, while the properties of Li₃PO₄ ceramics can be deteriorated by excessive Li ions. Li_3.12PO₄ ceramics sintered at 975 °C for 2 h have good dielectric properties (ε_r = 5.89, Q×f = 44,000 GHz, τ_f = ?206 ppm/^°C). In order to improve its large negative temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, in the following study, rutile nano TiO₂ particles were added as τ_f compensator. Adding TiO₂ powders not only effectively improve the temperature stabilities of the multiphase ceramics, but also make the grain growth more uniform. With the increase of TiO₂ content from 0.40 to 0.60, τ_f increases from ?73.5 ppm/^°C to +42.3 ppm/^°C. The best dielectric property of 0.45Li_3.12PO₄-0.55TiO₂ composite ceramic is ε_r = 13.29, Q×f = 40,700 GHz, τ_f = +8.8 ppm/^°C.     

Rattling effects on microwave dielectric properties of Ca3TiBGe3O12 (B = Mg,Zn) garnets

Herein two cubic garnet ceramics Ca₃TiBGe₃O₁₂ (B = Mg, Zn) were prepared with optimal sintering temperatures of 1300 ℃ and 1200 ℃, respectively. Both ceramics exhibited promising microwave dielectric properties as well as rather low coefficient of thermal expansion (α_L) of ε_r = 11.95, Q×f = 83,000 GHz, τ_f = ?34.1 ppm/℃ and α_L = 3.9 ppm/℃ for Ca₃TiMgGe₃O₁₂, and ε_r = 11.80, Q×f = 79,000 GHz, τ_f = ?42.9 ppm/℃ and α_L = 4.0 ppm/℃ for Ca₃TiZnGe₃O₁₂. Bond valence calculation reveals that Ca²⁺ at the A-site is slightly compressed, Ge⁴⁺ at C-site is rattling, and compressed Mg²⁺/Zn²⁺ coexists with rattling Ti⁴⁺ in the B-site. The large positive deviations (17.22% for Ca₃TiMgGe₃O₁₂ and 10.90% for Ca₃TiZnGe₃O₁₂) between the porosity corrected ε_r(Corr) (12.32 and 12.41) and calculated ε_r(C-M) (10.51 and 11.19) by the C-M equation were observed, which might be attributed to the combination of rattling effects in B-site and C-site. The relatively stronger rattling effect in Ca₃TiMgGe₃O₁₂ leads to a higher ε_r and a τ_f closer to zero than those of Ca₃TiZnGe₃O₁₂. Besides, the Q×f values of Ca₃TiBGe₃O₁₂ (B = Mg, Zn) ceramics are mainly affected by relative density, packing fraction, and Raman mode (A_1 g).     

Microwave dielectric properties of Re3Ga5O12 (Re: Nd,Sm, Eu,Dy and Yb) ceramics and effect of TiO2 on the microwave dielectric properties of Sm3Ga5O12 ceramics

Re₃Ga₅O₁₂ (Re: Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy and Yb) garnet ceramics sintered at 1350–1500 °C had a high quality factor (Q × f) ranging from 40,000 to 192,173 GHz and a low dielectric constant (ɛ_r) of between 11.5 and 12.5. They also exhibited a relatively stable temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) in the range of −33.7 to −12.4 ppm/°C. In order to tailor the τ_f value, TiO₂ was added to the Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ ceramics, which exhibited good microwave dielectric properties. The relative density and grain size increased with addition of TiO₂, resulting in the enhancement of Q × f value. The τ_f increased with the addition of TiO₂. Excellent microwave dielectric properties of ɛ_r = 12.4, Q × f = 240,000 GHz and τ_f = −16.1 ppm/°C were obtained from the Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ ceramics sintered at 1450 °C for 6 h with 1.0 mol% TiO₂. Therefore, Re₃Ga₅O₁₂ ceramics, especially TiO₂-added Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ ceramics are good candidates for advanced substrate materials in microwave integrated circuits (MICs) applications.     

Effect of CuO/MnO additives on microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of 3ZrO2-3TiO2-ZnNb2O6 ceramics

The effect of CuO/MnO additives on phase composition, microstructures, sintering behavior, and microwave dielectric properties of 3ZrO₂-3TiO₂-ZnNb₂O₆ (3Z-3T-ZN) ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state route were systematically investigated. CuO/MnO doped ceramics exhibited a main phase of α-PbO₂-structured ZrTi₂O₆ and a secondary phase of rutile TiO₂. SEM results showed that the grain size of MnO doped ceramics became larger with increasing amount of dopants. The presence of CuO/MnO additives effectively reduced the sintering temperature of 3Z-3T-ZN ceramics to 1220 °C. MnO doped into ceramics could enhance the Q×f values significantly. The 0.5 wt% CuO doped 3Z-3T-ZN ceramics with 0.5 wt% of MnO, sintered at 1220 °C for 4 h, was measured to show superior microwave dielectric properties, with an ε_r of 41.02, a Q×f value of 44,230 GHz (at 5.2 GHz), and τ_f value of +2.32 ppm/°C.     

Compositional design,structure stability,and microwave dielectric properties in Ca3MgBGe3O12 (B = Zr,Sn) garnet ceramics with tetravalent cations on B-site

Two garnet-structured Ca₃MgBGe₃O₁₂ (B = Zr, Sn) ceramics with tetravalent cations at B-site were prepared by conventional solid state reaction. The crystal structure, microstructure evolution, and microwave dielectric performance were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy techniques. Dense Ca₃MgZrGe₃O₁₂ and Ca₃MgSnGe₃O₁₂ ceramics were obtained at sintering temperatures of 1420 and 1400 °C, respectively. The dielectric constant, unloaded quality factor, and temperature coefficient of resonance frequency of Ca₃MgZrGe₃O₁₂ were 10.80 ± 0.2; 79,600 ± 1000 GHz (f = 12.61 GHz); and ?66.8 ± 1 ppm/°C, respectively, and the corresponding values for Ca₃MgSnGe₃O₁₂ were 9.68 ± 0.2; 83,400 ± 1000 GHz (f = 14.19 GHz); and ?57.9 ± 1 ppm/°C, respectively. The dielectric performances of the two ceramics were compared by analyzing the ionic polarizability, packing fraction, and bond valence. The intrinsic dielectric properties were predicted by fitting the infrared reflectivity spectra.     

Structure,far-infrared reflectance spectra,and microwave dielectric properties of Ba2MGa11O20 (M = Bi,La) ceramics

Ba₂MGa₁₁O₂₀ (M = Bi, La; called BBG and BLG, respectively) ceramics with monoclinic space group I2/m were prepared through a solid-state reaction method. BBG ceramic sintered at 1150 °C for 6 h has the best microwave dielectric properties with low ε_r = 10.68, Q × f = 41,756 GHz, and negative τ_f = ?61.3 ppm/°C. BLG ceramic sintered at 1440 °C for 6 h exhibits ε_r = 13.94, Q × f = 45,592 GHz, and near-zero τ_f = ?16.3 ppm/°C. The large deviation between ε_r and ε_th was ascribed to the “rattling” effect of the cations and the existence of lone pair ions of Bi³⁺. The difference in Q × f of the two ceramics was discussed in terms of packing fraction, and the τ_f of BLG was closer to zero than that of BBG due to the smaller τ_ε value. Their intrinsic dielectric properties were analyzed through far-infrared reflectivity spectroscopy.     

Structural characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of Zn1−xBixVxW1−xO4-based ceramics for LTCC applications

Herein, the improvement of the microwave dielectric properties and sintering characteristics of Zn_1?xBi_xV_xW_1?xO₄(x = 0–0.15)-based ceramics is reported. The results showed that an appropriate amount of doping could not only reduce the optimum sintering temperature from 1100° to 900°C, but also enhance the densification of the microstructures and increase the Q×f value from 5351 to 42525 GHz. Additionally, various structural parameters including the phase composition, crystal structure, vibrational and chemical bond characteristics that are correlated with the dielectric properties were systematically investigated. By considering the chemical bond characteristics, the first-principles calculations and the acquired Raman spectra, the interaction between W-O is stronger than Zn-O in the ZnWO₄ structure, while the interaction between V-O is stronger than Bi-O in BiVO₄. Interestingly, when the Zn_0.97Bi_0.03V_0.03W_0.97O₄-based ceramics were sintered at 900 °C, improved microwave dielectric properties were acquired (ε_r =18.32, Q×f=42525 GHz, τ_f=?67.51 ppm/°C), which provides a promising candidate in low-temperature co-fired ceramics technology.     

Influence of V2O5 additions to NdAlO3 ceramics on sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties

The effects of sintering aids addition on the microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of NdAlO₃ ceramics were investigated. V₂O₅ was selected as liquid phase sintering aid to lower the sintering temperature of NdAlO₃ ceramics. With V₂O₅ addition, the densification temperature of NdAlO₃ can be effectively reduced from 1650 °C to 1390∼1410 °C. The crystalline phase exhibited no phase differences at low addition level while Nd₄Al₂O₉ and NdAl₁₁O₁₈ present as second phases as the addition level was over 1 wt.%. The quality factor Q×f was strongly dependent upon the amount of additions. Q×f values of 64,000 GHz and 48,000 GHz could be obtained at 1390∼1410 °C with 0.25 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% V₂O₅ addition, respectively. During all addition ranges, the relative dielectric constants were not significantly different and ranged from 21.6 to 22.5.The temperature coefficients varies from –31∼–43 ppm/°C.     

Phase composition,microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of rock salt structured Li2ZrO3-MgO ceramics

A novel series of rock salt structured (1-x)Li₂ZrO₃-xMgO ceramics were prepared via the conventional solid state method. The tetragonal-cubic phase transition can be observed in the case of 0.5?≤?x?≤?0.6, which has been testified by the results of XRD and SEM-EDS. Relatively dense and homogeneous microstructure can be obtained for all the compositions sintered at 1500?°C. With the x value increasing from 0.5 to 0.8, the relative permittivity linearly decreases from 16.50 to 12.65, and the τ_f value decreases from ～?10?ppm/°C to ～?35?ppm/°C. The addition of MgO stabilizes the crystal structure and increases the bond energies in Li₂ZrO₃-MgO system, so there is an upward tendency in Q·f values from ～77,000?GHz to ～166,000?GHz. Typically, the Li₂Mg₄ZrO₇ ceramics sintered at 1500?°C possesses excellent properties with ε_r?=?12.65, Q·f?=?165,924?GHz and τ_f=-34.66?ppm/°C, which makes these materials good candidates for microwave devices.