Frequency independent low-k lithium borate nanocrystalline glass ceramic and glasses for microelectronic applications

Glasses with composition B2O3–Li2O–ZnO–TiO2–V2O5 were prepared with a melt and quench technique with variable concentration of TiO2 and V2O5. Structural aspects of the as-prepared sample were explored with the help of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Conductivity and dielectric properties of the glasses and nanocrystalline glass ceramic were investigated using impedance spectroscopy. Vanadium was present in these glasses in the V4+ state, however, in initial composition, it was in the V5+ state. The maximum quantity of TiO2 contained glasses formed a nanocrystalline rutile phase, which dominated the electronic conduction at lower temperatures with decreased activation energy, i.e. 0.21 eV. Moreover, the presence of a nanocrystalline TiO2 phase reduced the dielectric constant ∼3 at room temperature and 1 MHz with excellent stability over a wide temperature and frequency range. The present nanocrystalline glass ceramic and glasses can be used in fast communication devices.