Low-temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of ZnZrNb2O8 ceramics with BaCu(B2O5) addition

The effects of BaCu(B2O5) doping on the phase structure, sintering characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of ZnZrNb2O8 ceramics were investigated. Only a single-phase, i.e. ZnZrNb208 is formed when BaCu(B2O5) content is <= 3 wt%. Small amount of Ba3Nb8O21 and BaNb206 in second phases occurred with further increase in BaCu(B2O5) content. The addition of BaCu(B2O5) can effectively lower the sintering temperature of ZnZrNb208 ceramics from 1200 to 950 degrees C due to liquid phase sintering. ZnZrNb2O8 ceramics with 3 wt% BaCu(B2O5) sintered at 950 degrees C for 4 h could reach dense structure and exhibit good microwave dielectric properties such as epsilon(r)=28.4, Q x f=56,720 GHz and 'tau(f) = 53 ppmPC. In addition, the ceramics are compatible with Ag electrodes, and therefore, suitable for low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) application. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.