Glass-free Zn2Te3O8 microwave ceramic for LTCC applications

Abstract

A Zn2Te3O8 ceramic was investigated as a promising dielectric material for low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) applications. The Zn2Te3O8 ceramic was synthesized using the solid state reaction method by sintering in the temperature range 540°-600°C. The structure and microstructure of the compounds were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy methods. The dielectric properties of the ceramics were studied in the frequency range 4-6 GHz.The Zn2Te3O8 ceramc has a dielectric constant (er) of 16.2, a quality factor (Qu x f) of 66000 at 4.97 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (tf) of -60ppm/°C, respectively. Addition of 4wt% TiO2 improved the tr to -8.7 ppm/°C with an er of 19.3 and Qu x f of 27000 at 5.14 GHz when sintered at 650°C. The chemical reactivity of the Zn2Te3O8 ceramic with Ag and Al metal electrodes was also investigated.