Low-temperature processing of LiZn-based ferrite ceramics by co-doping of V2O5 and Sb2O3: composition, microstructure and magnetic properties

Abstract Low-temperature fired ferrites or ceramics are usually processed by using low-melting materials (e.g., glasses, oxides, and eutectics) as sintering aids to obtain compact and uniform microstructures. Herein, a dual-strategy of co-doping with V2O5 and Sb2O3 oxides and forming a eutectic liquid phase has been employed to reduce the melting point of LiZn ferrite ceramics in an effective way. The results indicate that miniscule amounts of V2O5 and Sb2O3 co-doping contribute in producing dense and uniform microstructures with enhanced magnetic performance by low-temperature firing. The phase structural and microstructural evolutions have been studied in detail. Thereafter their correlations with magnetic properties have been revealed. Enhanced magnetic performance (Bs = 475.4 mT, Ms = 82.51 emu/g, Br/Bs = 0.85, Hc = 2.2 Oe, ΔH = 153.8 Oe) of the LiZn-based ferrite ceramics is achieved by optimized composition and microstructure, which shows great potential for microwave applications including phase shifters and radars. More importantly, such a co-doping strategy can be also extended to other material systems, like dielectric ceramics, hexagonal ferrites or piezoelectric ceramics.