Preparation of phase pure Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 nanopowders for microwave dielectric resonator applications

Nanosized phase pure Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 (BZT) was prepared by decomposition of a citrate polymer precursor and subsequent pyrolysis. The powders were pyrolysed at different elevated temperatures and the effect of temperature on particle size was investigated. The sinterability of BZT ceramics made from nanopowders was very poor. Sintering at high temperatures led to formation of barium tantalite (BaTa2O6) due to vaporization of zinc. The samples were sintered by muffling with calcined BZT powder. Microwave dielectric properties of sintered dielectric resonators prepared from nanopowders of BZT are discussed.