Effects of additives on microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of ZnNb2O6 ceramics

The effects of CuO, Bi2O3 and V2O5 additions on the microstructure and the microwave dielectric properties of ZnNb2O6 ceramics were investigated systematically. The sintering temperature of ZnNb2O6 ceramics with CuO, Bi2O3 and V2O5 (CuBiV) additions can be effectively reduced from 1150 to 890 °C. The presence of CuBiVZn-rich intergranular phase in the specimen was observed and was evidence of the formation of a liquid phase during sintering. The 1.5 wt.% CuBiV-doped ZnNb2O6 ceramics sintered at 890 °C have the optimum microwave dielectric properties.