A novel microwave dielectric ceramic Li(2)NiZrO(4) with rock salt structure

Low loss Li(2)NiZrO(4) ceramics with rock salt structure were successfully prepared by the solid-phase reaction method. The relationship between sintering temperature, phase composition and dielectric properties of Li(2)NiZrO(4) ceramics was reported for the first time. The grain size gradually increased and the porosity decreased with the sintering temperature increasing. When the sintering temperature exceeds 1300 °C, the grains grow abnormally and some grains begin to melt. The XRD patterns indicated the second phase ZrO(2) appeared due to the volatilization of lithium. The grains grow abnormally and a second phase of ZrO(2) increased the loss of Li(2)NiZrO(4) ceramics. The samples sintered at 1300 °C possessed the best dielectric properties: ε(r) = 12.3, Q(f) = 20000 GHz, τ(f) = −23.4 ppm °C(−1), which would make the ceramic a possible candidate for millimeter-wave applications.