Microstructural and microwave dielectric properties of ZnNb2O6 ceramics prepared through microwave sintering

The microstructural and microwave dielectric properties of ZnNb2O6 ceramics prepared through conventional and microwave sintering at different temperatures have been investigated. Samples sintered at different temperatures through both methods were single phase with no second phases present. The highest densities obtained for conventional and microwave sintered samples were 93.5% (at 1150 degrees C) and 94.3% of the theoretical value (at 1200 degrees C), respectively. The relative permittivity results for samples sintered at different temperatures through both methods followed the variation in the density values. The highest values for relative permittivity (epsilon(r)) for conventional and microwave sintered samples were 22.5 (at 1100 degrees C) and 23 (at 1200 degrees C), respectively. The variation of quality factor (Q x f) with sintering temperature for samples prepared through both methods is mainly dictated by the changes in grain size. The highest Q x f values for conventional and microwave sintered samples were 82688 GHz (at 1300 degrees C) and 52,594 GHz (at 1300 degrees C), respectively. There was no meaningful relation between the changes in temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (tau(f)), and microstructural features. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.