Broad sintering temperature range and stable microwave dielectric properties of Mg2TiO4–CeO2 composite ceramics

Abstract

There has been extensive research on microwave dielectric materials considering their application in 5G and 6G communication technologies. In this study, the sintering temperature range of Mg2TiO4–CeO2 (MT-C) ceramics was broadened using a composite of CeO2 and Mg2TiO4 ceramics, and their microwave dielectric performance was stabilized. Low-loss MT-C composite ceramics were prepared using the solid-phase reaction method, and their microwave dielectric properties, microscopic morphologies, and phase structures were investigated. The proposed MT-C ceramics contained Mg2TiO4 and CeO2 phases; their average grain size was maintained at 2–4 μm in the sintering temperature range of 1275–1425 °C, and the samples were uniformly dense without porosity. The cross-distribution of Mg2TiO4 and CeO2 grains in the samples inhibited the growth of ceramic grains, providing uniform and dense surfaces. The dielectric loss of MT-C ceramics remained constant in the temperature range of 1300–1425 °C at 9 × 10−4 (8.45 ≤ f ≤ 8.75 GHz). As opposed to the base material, MT-C ceramics are advantageous owing to their wide sintering temperature range and the stable microwave dielectric properties, and there are suitable substrate materials for further industrial applications.