Microwave dielectric properties of non-stoichiometric Sr1+xNd2Al2O7+x ceramic prepared by reaction-sintering process

Sr1 + xNd2Al2O7 + x (0 <= x <= 0.04) ceramics were prepared using a more concise reaction-sintering method. The reaction-sintering (RS) method could reduce the number of ceramic preparation steps, which in turn reduces the factors that cause degradation of the microwave dielectric properties due to the sophisticated process fluctuations in the sintering process. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the sample is composed of a pure SrNd2Al2O7 single phase, whereas scanning electron microscope images display that the microscopic morphology of the sample is almost the same as that of solid-phase sintering. As x = 0.03, Sr1 + xNd2Al2O7 + x ceramic sintered at 1600 degrees C exhibited good microwave dielectric performances with epsilon(r) = 18.53, Q x f = 68,600 GHz, tau(f) = - 3.49 ppm/degrees C, and rho = 6.03 g/cm(3), which were better than those of the solid-state reaction method, indicating that the RS method has a lower cost and is simpler for preparing microwave dielectric ceramics with good performances.

Automated summary

Sr1 + xNd2Al2O7 + x ceramics prepared by the reaction-sintering method exhibit excellent microwave dielectric properties. Compared to the solid-state reaction method, the reaction-sintering method has lower cost and a simpler preparation process.