Low-Temperature Sintering and Enhanced Dielectric Properties of BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-Based Y5V Ceramics with Li2CO3 to Reduce the Sintering Temperature

We synthesized BaTi0.8Zr0.2O3 (BZT)-based powders using the sol-gel method, and introduced Li2CO3 with a low melting point (723 degrees C) as a source of the liquid phase to reduce the sintering temperature (T-s) and improve the dielectric properties of the BZT-based ceramics. The x-ray powder diffractometer patterns exhibited a perovskite structure in all samples. The scanning electron microscope images revealed that the sinterability of the BZT-based ceramics was improved by adding an appropriate amount (3.0 wt.%) of Li2CO3; T-s decreased from 1280 degrees C to 1100 degrees C. The BZT-based ceramics sintered at 1100 degrees C with 3.0 wt.% Li2CO3 met the Y5V requirements, with good electrical properties: epsilon(max) = 17987, epsilon(r) = 15950, and tan delta = 0.02. The results indicated that Li2CO3 can improve the dielectric properties and reduce the T-s of BZT-based ceramics. Our method therefore represents a less expensive approach for developing materials suitable for use in multilayer capacitors.