Ba(Nd1/2Nb1/2)O3: An Underrated K40 Microwave Dielectric Ceramic

doi:10.15541/jim20240476

Abstract

Abstract:

Microwave dielectric ceramics are indispensable materials in the field of electronic communication, especially in high-frequency applications. They are widely used in microwave components such as resonators, filters, and oscillators due to their unique dielectric properties, including high relative dielectric constant (ε_r), low dielectric loss, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) close to zero. In this study, a Ba(Nd_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ (BNN) ceramic with a medium dielectric constant was prepared, which was confirmed to be monoclinic system with the space group C12/m1 through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement. As the sintering temperature increasing, the samples' densities initially rose, reaching a maximum bulk density (ρ_obs) of 6.32 g/cm³ and a relative density (ρ_rel) of 98% at 1550 ℃ before subsequently decreasing. The sample sintered at 1525 ℃ showed the best microwave dielectric properties: ε_r=38.44, a quality factor Q×f=25400 GHz, and τ_f=-6×10^-6 ℃^-1. It is worth noting that compared to the previously reported value of 11700 GHz, the Q×f value of BNN ceramic in this study increased by 117%, indicating that the microwave dielectric properties of BNN ceramic may have been underestimated due to factors such as testing methods, raw material properties and processing conditions. In addition, a full-dielectric frequency selective surface (FSS) was designed and simulated using this ceramic material, achieving a relative bandwidth of about 23.3%, and demonstrating excellent frequency selection performance. These attributes underscore the potential of BNN ceramics for applications in microwave dielectric ceramic materials and affirm its previously underestimated capabilities, as evidenced by the remarkable performance observed in FSS simulation.

Key words: microwave dielectric ceramic, medium dielectric constant, composite chalcogenide, frequency selective surface

CLC Number:

TQ174

HE Guoqiang, ZHANG Kaiheng, WANG Zhentao, BAO Jian, XI Zhaochen, FANG Zhen, WANG Changhao, WANG Wei, WANG Xin, JIANG Jiapei, LI Xiangkun, ZHOU Di. Ba(Nd_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃: An Underrated K40 Microwave Dielectric Ceramic[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(6): 639-646.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 XRD patterns (a) and localized magnified patterns (b) of BNN ceramics sintered at different temperatures

Fig. 2 XRD refinement patterns (a-e) and variations of lattice parameters with sintering temperature (f) of BNN ceramics sintered at different temperatures (a) 1500 ℃; (b) 1525 ℃; (c) 1550 ℃; (d) 1575 ℃; (e) 1600 ℃. Colorful figures are available on website

Table 1 Crystallographic parameters and R-factors of BNN ceramics

Sintering temperature/℃	a/Å	b/Å	c/Å	α/(°)	β/(°)	γ/(°)	V/Å³	R_wp/%	GOF
1500	6.08122	6.04673	8.54026	90	90	90.1595	314.038	5.33	2.56
1525	6.04613	6.04279	8.58079	90	90	90.3715	313.499	4.97	2.48
1550	6.04591	6.04162	8.57837	90	90	90.3576	313.337	4.65	2.30
1575	6.04643	6.04159	8.57961	90	90	90.3573	313.408	5.00	2.48
1600	6.08241	6.04409	8.53991	90	90	90.1503	313.949	5.90	2.83

Fig. 3 Crystal structure of BNN ceramics

Fig. 4 (a-e) SEM images of sintered BNN ceramics at different temperatures with insets showing grain size distributions; (f) Variation of average grain size with sintering temperature (a) 1500 ℃; (b)1525 ℃; (c)1550 ℃; (d)1575 ℃; (e)1600 ℃

Fig. 5 Variation of microwave dielectric properties of BNN ceramics with sintering temperature (a) εr; (b) Q×f; (c) τf

Fig. 6 Variations of ρobs, ρthe and ρrel of BNN ceramics with sintering temperature

Fig. 7 Variations of εr and εcor of BNN ceramics with sintering temperature

Fig. 8 All-dielectric frequency selection surface (a) Simulation model; (b, c) Distributions of electric field and magnetic field of the sample under two reflection pole; (d) Reflection and transmission characteristics of FSS; (e) FSS normalized the real and imaginary parts of the impedance; (f) Simulation results. Colorful figures are available on website

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Ba(Nd_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃: An Underrated K40 Microwave Dielectric Ceramic

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