Effects of the Ba3(VO4)2 additions on microwave dielectric properties of (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 ceramics

The effects of the Ba-3(VO4)(2) (BV) additions on the phase composition, microstructures, sintering characteristics and microwave dielectric properties of (Zr-0.8 Sn-0.2)TiO4 (ZST) ceramics are investigated by an X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope and a network analyzer. The ZST and BV ceramics are all prepared by conventional solid-state method. BV can not only lower the sintering temperatures from 1650 to 1275 degrees C, but also speed up the grain growth of the ZST ceramics. But excessive additives deteriorate the microstructures and comprehensive properties of samples. As a result, ZST ceramics with 0.5 wt% BV can be well sintered at 1275 degrees C for 5 h and exhibit excellent microwave dielectric properties of er = 36.6, Q x f = 46,000 GHz and iota(f) = 1.47 ppm/degrees C.