Low temperature sintering of [formula omitted] nanoceramics as an LTCC material, synthesized through combustion route, and a study on the influence of copper in their structural and dielectric behaviour

Abstract

Nano size Zn2−xCuxV2O7(x=0∼2) ceramics, prepared through a single step modified combustion method has been sintered at a relatively lower temperature for the first time. The thermodynamics of phase transition of the as prepared samples with respect to temperature was studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the samples along with Rietveld refinement of the data confirmed that the compositions crystalized in monoclinic structure despite increasing x from 0 to 2. Raman spectroscopic analysis carried out in the powders also corroborated the XRD analysis. The High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), shows that the annealed powders have a particle size of around 43 nm. A systematic study on the densification behaviour of the cylindrical pellets was conducted in the range 6800C-7800C to obtain optimal density. The microstructural study of the pellets sintered to the optimum density was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The electrical properties of the polished samples were measured using an Impedance Analyzer in the range 100Hz–1MHz at different temperatures from 50°C to 500°C. On varying x from 0 to 2, the dielectric constant of Zn2V2O7 ceramic showed a gradual increase from 7.9 to 15.9 at 10kHz at room temperature. The Zn2V2O7 ceramics showed a conductivity range from 4.10×10−9Scm−1 to 4.56×10−7Scm−1 between 300°C and 450°C .The present study confirmed the suitability of the ceramics as potential substrate material for LTCC applications.