Low temperature reaction-sintering and microwave dielectric properties of ZnO–Nb2O5–2TiO2 ceramics

Abstract

Low-temperature fired ZnO–Nb2O5–2TiO2 ceramics co-doped with CuO–V2O5 were fabricated by a reaction-sintering process. CuO–V2O5 addition effectively lowered the sintering temperature of ZnO–Nb2O5–2TiO2 ceramics to 950°C due to the liquid phase sintering. The phase compositions and microwave dielectric properties of ZnO–Nb2O5–2TiO2 ceramics depended on the CuO–V2O5 content and sintering temperatures. Typically, 1.5 wt% CuO–V2O5 co-doped ceramics sintered at 950°C for 5 h exhibited optimum microwave dielectric properties of er = 45.9, Q × f = 12,200 GHz, τf = −1.8 ppm/°C. In addition, such sample was compatible with Ag electrode, suitable for the low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) applications.