Microstructural Characterization of $CaTiO_3-NdAlO_3$-Based Ceramics

Ceramics based on CaTiO₃-NdAlO₃ solid solutions were synthesized in order to study their dielectric microwave properties. Microstructural analysis was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using different analytical methods such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). It was observed that the heating conditions during sintering and cooling strongly affect the microstructural development of CaTiO₃-NdAlO₃-based ceramics. Various types and concentrations of structural defects were identified, for example, dislocations, twins and/or antiphase boundaries. all such defects resulted in a degradation of the dielectric microwave properties, in particular the quality factor Q. Dielectric properties of CaTiO₃-NdAlO₃-based ceramics can be improved by an appropriate thermal treatment of ceramics which results in a decrease in the concentrations of the identified microstructural defects.