Improved sinterability and microwave dielectric properties of [Zn0.5Ti0.5]3+‐doped ZnAl2O4 spinel solid solution.

Low‐permittivity ZnAl2‐x(Zn0.5Ti0.5)xO4 ceramics were synthesized via conventional solid‐state reaction method. A pure ZnAl2O4 solid‐state solution with an Fd‐3m space group was achieved at x ≤ 0.1. Results showed that partial substitution of [Zn0.5Ti0.5]3+ for Al3+ effectively lowered the sintering temperature of the ZnAl2O4 ceramics and remarkably increased the quality factor (Q × f) values. Optimum microwave dielectric properties (εr = 9.1, Q × f = 115,800 GHz and τf = −78 ppm/°C) were obtained in the sample with x = 0.1 sintered at 1400°C in oxygen atmosphere for 10 h. The temperature used for the sample was approximately 250°C lower than the sintering temperature of conventional ZnAl2O4 ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]