Effect of Nd3+ on the microwave dielectric properties of (Pb0.5Ca0.5)(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 ceramics

Microwave dielectric properties of A-site substitution by Nd3+ in (Pb0.5Ca0.5)(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 system were investigated. Microwave dielectric properties of [(Pb0.5Ca0.5)1 − xNdx] (Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 (PCNFN) system with x = 0.02–0.05 were improved because the solid solution of small amount of excessive Nd3+ with (Pb,Ca)2+ could eliminate oxygen vacancies. Surplus Nd3+ resulted in the formation of secondary phase (pyrochlore), which deteriorated the microwave dielectric properties of PCNFN ceramics. Dielectric constant was above 100 and quality factor Qf values were 5385–5797 GHz as x = 0.02–0.05. Temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF) was changed from positive to negative with x content.