Structural, spectroscopic and dielectric investigations on Ba8Zn(Nb6−xSbx)O24 microwave ceramics

Ba8Zn(Nb6−xSbx)O24 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 and 2.4) ceramics were prepared through the conventional solid-state route. The materials were calcined at 1250 °C and sintered in the range 1400–1425 °C. The structure of the system was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. The theoretical and experimental densities were calculated. The microstructure of the sintered pellets was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The low frequency dielectric properties were studied in the frequency range 50 Hz–2 MHz. The dielectric constant (ɛr), temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) and the unloaded quality factor (Qu) are measured in the microwave frequency region using cavity resonator method. The τf values of the samples reduced considerably with the increase in Sb concentration. The materials have intense emission lines in the visible region. The compositions have good microwave dielectric properties and photoluminescence and hence are suitable for dielectric resonator and ceramic laser applications.