Two-step sintering: An approach to prepare Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics with high degree of cation ordering

Abstract Two-step sintering method has been used to prepare complex perovskite Ba(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ceramics, aiming to inhibit the “order-disorder” transition before dense. Compared with conventional sintering process, this technique has lowered the sintering temperature less than the transition temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that Ba(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ceramics prepared by two-step sintering possess a high degree of cation ordering. Effects of each sintering parameter on the microstructure and microwave dielectric properties have been investigated systematically. It is found that Q × f could be significantly improved by controlling T 1 , temperature in the first sintering stage, as well as t 2 , holding time in the second stage, attributed to the promotion of cation ordering degree and growth of ordering domain structure separately. Compared with conventional sintering, the ceramics with the grain size of 1.1 μm prepared by two-step sintering showed optimal dielectric properties of Q × f ∼ 75100 GHz (enhanced by 15%).