Improved temperature stability of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃/ZnAl₂O_{4< /sub> ceramics by controlling microstructure with sintering behavior}

0.2ZnAl(2)O(4)/0.8Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)TiO(3) ceramics with good dielectric temperature stability were synthesized by controlling sintering behavior. The relationship between sintering conditions, microstructure, and dielectric properties of ceramics was studied. Cubic structures were confirmed in all ceramics. Double sintering (DS) behavior can effectively improve the density, and the grain size has no obvious change compared with non-repeated sintering. The maximum dielectric permittivity (220 at 10 kHz) and minimum leakage current (3.98x10(-6) A/cm(2) at 0.25 kV/cm) are obtained in the DS ceramics, which is superior to those of the single sintering ceramics. This can be ascribed to the higher relative density of the DS ceramics in contrast to the single sintering ceramics. More importantly, the temperature stability of the DS sample in all samples is optimal due to the high surface energy at grain boundaries and improved density. This work demonstrates a route to produce ceramics with weak temperature sensitivity for microwave applications.