Effects of $Nd_2O_3$ and $TiO_2$ Addition on the Microstructures and Microwave Dielectric Properties of $BaO-Nd_2O_3-TiO_2$ System

The effects of $Nd_2O_3$ and $TiO_2$ addition on the microstructures and microwave dielectic properties of $BaO-Nd_2O_3-TiO_2$ system were investigated. $BaNd_2Ti_4O_{12}$ or $BaNd_2Ti_{5}O_{14}$ phases were observed for compositions based on BaO/$Nd_2O_3$ = 1 ratio. The compositions deviated from $BaO/Nd_2O_3=1$ ratio were composed of major phases of $BaNd_2Ti_4O_{12}$ or $BaNd_2Ti_5O_{14}$, and the compound of $Nd_2O_3$ and $TiO_2(Nd_2Ti_2O_7)$ or that of BaO and $TiO_2(BaTi_4O_9)$. The microstructure of ceramic with $BaO{\cdot}Nd_2O_3{\cdot}4TiO_2$ composition varied from spherical grains to needlelike grains with increasing sintering temperature. With increasing $Nd_2O_3$, the optimum sintering temperature with maximum density increased, and the dielectric constant(${\varepsilon}_r$) and quality factor(Q) decreased due to the formation of secondary phases. With increasing $TiO_2$, the optimum sintering temperature and the dielectric constant decreased with increased Q value. And the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, ${\tau}_f$ shifted toward positive direction. The dielectric ceramics with $BaO/Nd_2O_3=1$ showed Q values of above 2000 and dielectric constants of above 80 at 3GHz.