Crystal Structures and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Novel MgCu(2)Nb(2)O(8) Ceramics Prepared by Two-Step Sintering Technique

In this work, novel MgCu(2)Nb(2)O(8) (MCN) ceramics were synthesized by the two-step sintering (TSS) technique, and the phase composition, crystal structures, and microwave dielectric properties were comprehensively studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis demonstrated that MCN ceramics are multi-phase ceramics consisting of MgNb(2)O(6) and CuO phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was utilized to investigate the chemical composition and element valence of MgCu(2)Nb(2)O(8) ceramics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated dense microstructures in the MCN ceramics prepared at a sintering temperature of 925 °C. The microwave dielectric properties were largely affected by the lattice vibrational modes and densification level of the ceramics. The outstanding microwave dielectric properties of ε(r) = 17.15, Q × f = 34.355 GHz, and τ(f) = −22.5 ppm/°C were obtained for the MCN ceramics sintered at 925 °C, which are results that hold promise for low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) applications.