A novel microwave dielectric ceramic Ca2Zn4Ti16O38: Preparation and dielectric properties

A novel microwave dielectric powder with composition of Ca2Zn4Ti16O38 was synthesized through a citrate sol–gel process. The development of crystalline phases with heat-treating temperature for the gel derived powders was evaluated by using thermo-gravimetric analysis and X-ray powder diffraction analysis techniques. The pure phase of Ca2Zn4Ti16O38 with crichtonite crystal structure was obtained at relatively low temperature of 1000 °C. The synthesized powder has high reactivity and the dense ceramics with single crystalline phase were obtained at low sintering temperature of 1100 °C. Impedance spectroscopy and microwave dielectric measurements on sintered samples showed the present compound to be a modest dielectric insulator with excellent dielectric properties of εr∼47–49, Qf value ∼27,800–31,600 GHz and τf∼+45 to +50 ppm/°C. It shows comparable microwave dielectric properties to other moderate-permittivity microwave dielectrics, but much lower sintering temperature of 1100 °C.