Influence of Nd2O3/SrO additives on sintering characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 ceramics

The phase composition, microstructure, densification, microwave dielectric properties and sintering characteristics of (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 specimens doped with various Nd2O3/SrO additions, synthesized via a conventional solid-stated technology, were comprehensively studied. All samples depicted a single uniform (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 phase with orthorhombic crystalline structure without secondary phase. After adding Nd2O3/SrO additives, the sintering temperature of ZST ceramics was depressed to 1320 °C, while facilitating dielectric performances, as long as they were added in the appropriate amounts (0.3 wt% Nd2O3 + 0.45 wt% SrO). It has been found that when the ZST powders ground for 16 h sintered at 1320 °C for 4 h with 0.3 wt% Nd2O3 and 0.45 wt% SrO, an excellent microwave dielectric performances were generated for sintered ceramics: εr = 40.61, Q × f = 40700 GHz (f = 5.5 GHz) and τf = − 2.57 ppm °C−1.