Crystal structure, infrared spectra, and microwave dielectric properties of low-firing Nd 2 Zr 3 (MoO 4 ) 9 ceramics prepared by reaction-sintering process

Low temperature-sintered ceramics Nd2Zr3(MoO4)9 were successfully prepared via reaction-sintering method. The sintering behavior, microwave dielectric properties, crystal structure, and microstructure were analyzed systematically. XRD and Rietveld refinement results revealed that all samples formed a pure trigonal structure phase with the space group of R-3c. Density determination showed that ceramics possessed the highest relative density when sintered at 800 °C for 6 h. SEM image further confirmed that ceramics possessed dense and homogeneous microstructure at the optimum sintering temperature 800 °C. Far infrared spectra analysis showed the structural phonon oscillation at infrared region played an important role in polarization. Nd2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics obtained the optimum microwave dielectric properties of er= 10.01, Q × f = 55,923 GHz, τf= − 13.81 ppm/ °C when sintered at 800 °C for 6 h.