Improved microwave dielectric properties of B2O3-doped Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics with near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency

The microwave dielectric properties and the microstructures of Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state route have been studied. The prepared Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 exhibited a mixture of Co and Ti showing 1:1 order in the B-site. It is found that low-level doping of B2O3 (up to 0.75 wt.%) can significantly improve the density and dielectric properties of Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics. Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics with additives could be sintered to a theoretical density higher than 98.5% at 1320 °C. Second phases were not observed at the level of 0.25–0.75 wt.% B2O3 addition. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) was not significantly affected, while the dielectric constants (ɛr) and the unloaded quality factors Q were effectively promoted by B2O3 addition. At 1320 °C/4 h, Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics with 0.75 wt.% B2O3 addition possesses a dielectric constant (ɛr) of 27.2, a Q × f value of 153,000 GHz (at 9 GHz) and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of 0 ppm/°C. The B2O3-doped Nd(Co1/2Ti1/2)O3 ceramics can find applications in microwave devices requiring low sintering temperature.