Studies of temperature and fabrication methods influence on structure and microstructure of BiNbO4 microwave electroceramics

Abstract

The bismuth-based ceramics are well known as potential materials for microwave or microelectronics applications. One of them is a bismuth niobate (BiNbO4), which belongs to the family of the scheelite-like stibiotantalite structure A3+B5+O4. This low temperature co-fired dielectric ceramics is also reported as a good microwave dielectric material, using i.e. in multilayer microwaves systems. In the present studies depends of fabrication methods and temperature conditions on basic properties of bulk BiNbO4 are reported. Technological process included two stages. First, the ceramic powder was obtained from the high purity oxides (99.99%), by MOM method. The second stage involved consolidation of such prepared powders by free sintering and the hot uniaxial pressing methods. Goal of this study was to investigate how the fabrication processes i.e. temperature and sintering conditions influence on prepared powders and samples of bismuth niobate, like its structure and microstructure.