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 degrees C, while facilitating dielectric performances, as long as they were added in the appropriate amounts (0.3wt% Nd2O3+0.45wt% SrO). It has been found that when the ZST powders ground for 16h sintered at 1320 degrees C for 4h with 0.3wt% Nd2O3 and 0.45wt% SrO, an excellent microwave dielectric performances were generated for sintered ceramics: epsilon(r)=40.61, Qxf=40700GHz (f=5.5GHz) and (f)=-2.57ppm degrees C-1.