Interfacial Structure Evolution and Co-Firing Compatibility in BTN/NZF Laminated Ceramics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Ceramic Engineering
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• Integrating dissimilar ceramics for multifunctional components is challenging due to co-firing incompatibility.
• Warpage and cracking often occur during the co-firing of ceramic/ferrite laminates.
• Achieving strong interfacial bonding is crucial for device reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop warpage-free and crack-free barium titanate niobate (BTN) ceramic/nickel-zinc ferrite (NZF) laminates.
• To investigate and achieve co-firing compatibility between BTN and NZF ceramics.
• To understand and enhance interfacial bonding for multilayer ceramic devices.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state reaction method for co-firing BTN/NZF laminates.
• Investigation of NZF ferrite particle size effects on sintering shrinkage.
• Finite element simulation for internal stress analysis.
• Microstructural analysis (phase composition, elemental distribution) of the BTN/NZF interface.

Main Results:

• Successfully co-fired warpage-free and crack-free BTN/NZF laminates with strong interfacial bonding.
• Identified excellent co-firing matchability between BTN and large-particle-size NZF (L-NZF).
• Observed formation of a thin (18.6 nm) M-type barium ferrite (BaM) interphase layer at the interface.
• The BaM layer enhanced interfacial adhesion and suppressed ion interdiffusion, with limited Fe3+ diffusion (63 nm).

Conclusions:

• The developed BTN/NZF laminates show potential for multilayer devices like filters.
• Tailoring interfacial properties through controlled interphase formation is a viable approach for co-fired ceramics.
• The BaM interphase layer effectively strengthens adhesion and limits diffusion, preserving dielectric properties.