Effects of SnCl2 concentration and Ti source on the phase composition, sinterability, and microwave dielectric properties of Zr0.8Sn0.2TiO4 ceramics by choline chloride-malonic acid deep eutectic solvent

Abstract

Zr0.8Sn0.2TiO4 (ZST) ceramics were prepared by choline chloride-malonic acid deep eutectic solvent (Cm-DES) route using analytical-grade raw materials such as Zr(CH3COO)4, SnCl2·2H2O, titanium isopropoxide, and so on. The effects of SnCl2 concentration and Ti source on phase composition, sinterability, and microwave dielectric properties of ZST ceramics processed by Cm-DES routes were investigated. Single-phase ZST powders were processed by Cm-DES routes calcined at 450 °C, and no second phase was detected in all the ceramics. The sintering temperature of ZST ceramics processed by Cm-DES routes was seriously decreased to 1350 °C. Excellent dielectric properties (εr = 38.0, Q×f = 44,500 GHz, and τf = 1.9 ppm/°C) were obtained when 0.6 mol/L SnCl2 and titanium isopropanol were employed. These results give the underlying enlightenments needed for cost-saving and low energy consumption fabrication of microwave dielectric ceramics.