Influence of sintering characteristics and structural properties on the microwave dielectric properties of non-stoichiometric Ca3Mn2+xGe3O12+δ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics

Abstract

Low-K microwave dielectric ceramics are pivotal in 5G and millimetre-wave communications. Among them, garnet-structured ceramics hold significant strategic importance because of their rich elemental composition and high Q × f values. In this study, we investigated garnet-structured Ca3Mn2Ge3O12, aiming to optimize the ceramic phase composition through the synthesis of Ca3Mn2+xGe3O12+δ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics. XRD analysis revealed a pure phase of Ca3Mn2Ge3O12 (PDF#00-034-0285) only when x = 0.1, whereas impurity phases were observed for all other components. Rietveld refinement confirmed the garnet structure of the samples with the Ia[3 with combining macron]d space group. The highest bulk (4.383 g cm−3) and relative (96.34%) densities were achieved after sintering at 1190 °C, when the radial shrinkage reached 11.5%. At a sintering temperature of 1180 °C, the ceramics displayed excellent microwave dielectric properties: εr = 8.88, Q × f = 50 793 GHz, τf = −39.35 ppm °C−1. Raman, XPS, and Rietveld refinement data respectively revealed that the relative density of the ceramics was closely related to the dielectric constant; the relative Mn3+/Mn4+ content, packing fraction, and FWHM of the A1g Raman spectra were highly correlated with the Q × f value; and the Mn–O bond valence affected the Q × f and τf values of the samples. Furthermore, far-infrared reflectance spectroscopy indicated a theoretical Q × f value of ∼130 000 GHz, suggesting that the existing samples have potential for further development. In conclusion, Ca3Mn2+xGe3O12+δ (x = 0.1) ceramics with optimised phase compositions have great potential for development and application in 5G and millimetre-wave communications.

Graphical abstract: Influence of sintering characteristics and structural properties on the microwave dielectric properties of non-stoichiometric Ca3Mn2+xGe3O12+δ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Feb 2024
Accepted
18 Apr 2024
First published
19 Apr 2024

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, Advance Article

Influence of sintering characteristics and structural properties on the microwave dielectric properties of non-stoichiometric Ca3Mn2+xGe3O12+δ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics

Y. Liu, G. He, Y. Nie, W. Zhang, Z. Zhao and H. Zhou, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4TC00698D

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