Structure, infrared reflectivity spectra and microwave dielectric properties of a low-firing microwave dielectric ceramic Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9

Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics were prepared by solid state reaction method and the microwave dielectric properties were investigated for the first time. Single-phase Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics with a space group R-3c were obtained in the whole sintering temperature range (600–800 °C) confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement. SEM images combined with high relative density (95.7%) suggested that well-densed Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramic could formed at low sintering temperature 650 °C. The intrinsic factors affecting dielectric properties were analyzed according to chemical bonds theory of complex crystals and infrared spectra. Typically, the novel microwave dielectric ceramic Pr2Zr3(MoO4)9 sintered at 650 °C exhibited desirable dielectric properties combination: εr = 10.72, Q·f = 64,200 GHz (at 9.6 GHz) and τf = −13.0 ppm/°C.