Crystal structure and microwave dielectric properties of temperature stable (CoxZn1-x)TiNb2O8 ceramics

(CoxZn1-x)TiNb2O8 (x = 0.2-0.8) microwave dielectric ceramics were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction route, and the correlation of microwave dielectric properties on the crystal structure was discussed. Crystal structures of ceramic samples were systematically investigated by X-ray powder diffraction. Moreover, composition-induced phase transitions were confirmed via the following sequence: for x <= 0.2, single-phase orthorhombic ixiolite (ZnTiNb2O8) was formed, whereas for 0.3 <= x<0.8, ixiolite and rutile coexisted. When x >= 0.8, only single-phase rutile was detected. For the (CoxZn1-x)TiNb2O8 ceramics, the microwave dielectric properties were changed with the crystal structural transitions: the dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (tau(f)) increased upon increasing the Co2+, but the quality factor (Q) decreased. A near-zero tau(f) = +1.6 ppm/degrees C was obtained in the Co0.38Zn0.62TiNb2O8 ceramics with epsilon(r) = 40.7 and high Q x f = 16 790 GHz. These research outcomes are expected to have great significance for developing microwave dielectric ceramics in practical applications.

Automated summary

(CoxZn1-x)TiNb2O8 (x = 0.2-0.8) microwave dielectric ceramics were synthesized via solid-state reaction and the correlation between microwave dielectric properties and crystal structure was discussed. The crystal structures were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction. Composition-induced phase transitions were observed and the microwave dielectric properties were found to change with crystal structural transitions. These findings have significant implications for the development of microwave dielectric ceramics in practical applications.