Phonon characteristics, crystal structure, and
intrinsic properties of a Y(Mg
1/2
Sn
1/2
)O
3
ceramic
Chao Xing,
a
Jianzhu Li,
a
Huiling Chen,
a
Hengyang Qiao,
a
Jun Yang,
a
Helei Dong,
b
Haiqing Sun,
b
Jing Wang,
b
Xunqian Yin,
a
Ze-Ming Qi
c
and Feng Shi
*
a
Herein, a Y(Mg
1/2
Sn
1/2
)O
3
(YMS) ceramic was synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method.
Crystal structure of YMS was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD). Lattice vibrational modes were
obtained through Raman scattering spectroscopy and Fourier transform far-infrared (FTIR) reflection
spectroscopy to study its phonon characteristics. The main phase of YMS with the monoclinic P2
1
/n
symmetry has been certified via XRD. The Raman active modes fitted with the Lorentzian function can
be divided into three parts: vibration related to A-site Y cations, B-site (1 : 1 ordered structure of
Mg
2+
:Sn
4+
), and O ions. The eight far-infrared spectrum modes corresponded to different atomic
structures of the vibration modes. Dielectric properties (3
r
and tan d
j
/u) were deduced using the four-
parameter semi-quantum model (FPSQ) and Clausius–Mossotti equation, as well as the relationship
between the damping coefficient and the intrinsic loss. The imaginary and real parts of the dielectric
constant were obtained via the Kramers–Kr
¨
onig analysis.
1. Introduction
Rare-earth based microwave dielectric ceramics (MWDCs), with
the formula of A(B
0
1/2
B
00
1/2
)O
3
(A ¼ La, Ce, Nd, Pr, and Sm; B
0
¼
Zn, Ni, Mg, and Co; and B
00
¼ Ti, Sn, and Zr), have been inves-
tigated for their potential application as dielectric resonators
(DRs) and lters due to their suitable permittivities (3
r
), high
quality factor (Q), and near zero temperature coefficient of
resonant frequency (s
f
). Moreover, they possess monoclinic
structure and P2
1
/n space group with a 1 : 1 ordered structure at
the B-site.
1–4
The crystal structures, dielectric properties, and vibrational
spectra of the A(B
0
1/2
B
00
1/2
)O
3
rare-earth based MWDCs, espe-
cially those of the lanthanide rare-earth ceramics, have been
studied by many researchers.
5–8
Some studies were mainly
concentrated on the reduction of their sintering temperatures
and modication of their properties via additives such as ZnO–
B
2
O
3
–SiO
2
(ref. 9) and Ni
2+
.
10
However, the Y-based rare-earth
ceramics with the structure A(B
0
1/2
B
00
1/2
)O
3
have not been re-
ported to date. The vibrator parameters of Y(Mg
1/2
Sn
1/2
)O
3
(YMS) ceramic have not been investigated by Raman scattering
spectroscopy and Fourier transform far-infrared reection
spectroscopy together, and the intrinsic properties of YMS are
unknown.
In this study, the YMS ceramic was synthesized through
a conventional solid-state sintering technique. X-ray diffraction
and vibrational spectra (via Raman and FTIR spectroscopies)
were obtained. The four-parameter semi quantum (FPSQ)
models were used to calculate the intrinsic properties (dielectric
constant and loss), which were compared with the data calcu-
lated by the Clausius–Mossotti equation (molecular polariz-
abilities), as well as the relationship between the damping
coefficient and the intrinsic dielectric loss. The contributions of
the Raman and IR modes to the properties were analyzed. The
Kramers–Kr
¨
onig (K–K) analysis was performed to obtain the
imaginary and real parts of the dielectric constant to examine
the vibrator parameters of the YMS ceramic. This study may
provide a basis for future research on the structure– property
relationship of rare-earth based A(B
0
1/2
B
00
1/2
)O
3
-type MWDCs.
2. Experimental
Y(Mg
1/2
Sn
1/2
)O
3
ceramic was synthesized using the conven-
tional solid-state reaction method. Y
2
O
3
, MgCO
3
, and SnO
2
powders with the purity of 99.9% in a stoichiometric amount of
Y : Mg : Sn ¼ 2 : 1 : 1 molar ratio were added in a polyethylene
bottle having a zirconia ball for 12 h, dried, and then calcined at
1200
C for 4 h. A er ball-milling for 12 h again, these mixed
powders were dried and pressed on the discs of 15 mm 1 mm;
nally, they were sintered at 1500
C for 4 h.
XRD was performed using a Rigaku D/max-rB X-ray diffrac-
tometer having a Cu-K
a
incident source of the range of 10–80
a
School of Material Science & Engineering, Shandong University of Science and
Technology, Qingdao, 266590, P. R. China. E-mail: sf751106@sina.com.cn; Fax: +86
532 80691718; Tel: +86 532 80691718
b
Science and Technology on Electronic Test & Measurement Laboratory, North
University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P. R. China
c
National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of
China, Hefei, 230029, P. R. China
Cite this: RSC Adv.,2017,7,35305
Received 1st May 2017
Accepted 30th June 2017
DOI: 10.1039/c7ra04869f
rsc.li/rsc-advances
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