Effect of Process Parameter Optimization in Reducing Sintering Temperature in the Synthesis and Characterization of Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3

Controlling the cooling rate during calcination and sintering, phase pure perovskite Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 has been prepared by simple solid state reaction route with density >93% at relatively low sintering of 1175°C making it compatible for microwave dielectric applications. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffraction shows pure perovskite phase with cubic structure. The lattice constants were obtained a = 4.1032 A. Detailed studies of e′ and e′′ show that the compound exhibits dielectric anomaly at 430°C. Material shows distributed relaxation at higher temperature. Impedance analysis revealed that the impedance is mainly due to the grains. AC conduction activation energies are estimated from Arrhenius plots, and conduction mechanism is discussed.