Effect of sintering temperature and time on microwave dielectric properties of Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics

The microwave dielectric properties of Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics were investigated with a view to the use of such ceramics in mobile communication. Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics were prepared using the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures and sintering times. A maximum density of 6.99 g cm−3 was obtained by sintering Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramic at 1550 °C for 4 h. Dielectric constants (ɛr) of 15.5–19.3 and a quality factor (Q × f) of 5900–43,300 GHz were obtained at sintering temperatures in the range 1400–1600 °C for 4 h. Dielectric constants (ɛr) of 19.2–19.3 and a quality factor (Q × f) of 31,000–43,300 GHz were obtained at sintering times in the range 2–6 h at a sintering temperature of 1550 °C. A dielectric constant (ɛr) of 19.3, a quality factor (Q × f) of 43,300 GHz and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of −57 ppm °C−1 were obtained when Nd(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h.