LiCa3ZnV3O12: A novel low-firing, high Q microwave dielectric ceramic

A novel low-firing microwave dielectric ceramic LiCa3ZnV3O12 with low dielectric loss was synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The phase composition, microstructure, and sintering behavior were investigated. The LiCa3ZnV3O12 ceramic could be well densified at around 900 °C and exhibited favorable microwave dielectric properties with a low relative permittivity (εr) of 11.5, a fairly high quality factor (Quf) of 81,100 GHz, and a negative temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) approximately −72 ppm/°C. The LiCa3ZnV3O12 ceramic can be co-fired with Ag electrode, which makes it a promising ceramic for low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) applications as substrate. Furthermore, 0.8LiCa3ZnV3O12–0.2CaTiO3 ceramic sintered at 925 °C for 4 h exhibited improved microwave dielectric properties of εr=13.2, Quf=59,600 GHz, and τf=1.3 ppm/°C.