In this chapter, we will restrict our attention to the ferrites and a few other closely related materials. The great interest in ferrites stems from their unique combination of a spontaneous magnetization and a high electrical resistivity. The observed magnetization results from the difference in the magnetizations of two non-equivalent sub-lattices of the magnetic ions in the crystal structure. Materials of this type should strictly be designated as “ferrimagnetic” and in some respects are more closely related to anti-ferromagnetic substances than they are to ferromagnetics in which the magnetization results from the parallel alignment of all the magnetic moments present. We shall not adhere to this special nomenclature except to emphasize effects, which are due to the existence of the sub-lattices.

Ferromagnetic materials

Use of microwaves in the synthesis of materials is gaining importance. Microwave-assisted synthesis is generally much faster, cleaner, and more economical than the conventional methods. A variety of materials such as carbides, nitrides, complex oxides, silicides, zeolites, apatite, etc. have been synthesized using microwaves. Many of these are of industrial and technological importance. An understanding of the microwave interaction with materials has been based on concepts of dielectric heating and of the resonance absorption due to rotational excitation. This review presents a summary of recent reports of microwave synthesis of inorganic materials. Various observations regarding microwave interaction with materials are also briefly discussed.

Synthesis of inorganic solids using microwaves

Piezoelectric materials that can function at high temperatures without failure are desired for structural health monitoring and/or nondestructive evaluation of the next generation turbines, more efficient jet engines, steam, and nuclear/electrical power plants. The operational temperature range of smart transducers is limited by the sensing capability of the piezoelectric material at elevated temperatures, increased conductivity and mechanical attenuation, variation of the piezoelectric properties with temperature. This article discusses properties relevant to sensor applications, including piezoelectric materials that are commercially available and those that are under development. Compared to ferroelectric polycrystalline materials, piezoelectric single crystals avoid domain-related aging behavior, while possessing high electrical resistivities and low losses, with excellent thermal property stability. Of particular interest is oxyborate [ReCa4O (BO3)3] single crystals for ultrahigh temperature applications (>1000°C). These crystals offer piezoelectric coefficients deff, and electromechanical coupling factors keff, on the order of 3–16 pC/N and 6%–31%, respectively, significantly higher than those values of α-quartz piezocrystals (~2 pC/N and 8%). Furthermore, the absence of phase transitions prior to their melting points ~1500°C, together with ultrahigh electrical resistivities (>106 Ω·cm at 1000°C) and thermal stability of piezoelectric properties (< 20% variations in the range of room temperature ~1000°C), allow potential operation at extreme temperature and harsh environments.

Piezoelectric Materials for High Temperature Sensors

Studies in the last decade suggest that microwave energy may have a unique ability to influence chemical processes. These include chemical and materials syntheses as well as separations. Specifically, recent studies have documented a significantly reduced time for fabricating zeolites, mixed oxide and mesoporous molecular sieves by employing microwave energy. In many cases, microwave syntheses have proven to synthesize new nanoporous structures. By reducing the times by over an order of magnitude, continuous production would be possible to replace batch synthesis. This lowering of the cost would make more nanoporous materials readily available for many chemical, environmental, and biological applications. Further, microwave syntheses have often proven to create more uniform (defect-free) products than from conventional hydrothermal synthesis. However, the mechanism and engineering for the enhanced rates of syntheses are unknown. We review the many studies that have demonstrated the enhanced syntheses of nanoporous oxides and analyze the proposals to explain differences in microwave reactions. Finally, the microwave reactor engineering is discussed, as it explains the discrepancies between many microwave studies.

Microwave Synthesis of Nanoporous Materials

The structures and components of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) are extremely important to influence the performance of full cells, which is determined by the formulation of electrolyte used. However, it is still challenging to control the formation of high-quality SEI from structures to components. Herein, we designed bisfluoroacetamide (BFA) as the electrolyte additive for the construction of a gradient solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structure that consists of a lithophilic surface with C-F bonds to uniformly capture Li ions and a LiF-rich bottom layer to guide the rapid transportation of Li ions, endowing the homogeneous deposition of Li ions. Moreover, the BFA molecule changes the Li+ solvation structure by reducing free solvents in electrolyte to improve the antioxidant properties of electrolyte and prevent the extensive degradation of electrolyte on the cathode surface, which can make a superior cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) with high-content LiF.

Gradient Solid Electrolyte Interphase and Lithium-Ion Solvation Regulated by Bisfluoroacetamide for Stable Lithium Metal Batteries.

The temperature-dependent Raman spectra of Mg- and La-doped SrBi4Ti4O15 (SBT) were studied in the range 40–590 °C. A quantum chemistry calculation was employed to estimate these two substitution states. It was found that A-site doping in this study not only caused multiplicative substitution states, but also the Raman spectra changed with the substitution amount. In a La-doped perovskite-like layer, La would occupy the Bi site when x>0.10 and the 314 and 550 cm-1 modes related to the rotating and tilting of the TiO6 octahedron firstly became wide and then became sharp. With the increase of the substitution amount, both substitution states of Mg-doped SBT lead to the widening of 270 and 520 cm-1 peaks.

Study of A-site doping of SrBi4Ti4O15 Bi-layered compounds using micro-Raman spectroscopy

Nb-doped SrBi4Ti4O15 (SBT) was produced by conventional method. Structural and ferroelectric properties of SBT were examined as a function of niobium composition. Analyzing the structure futures of SBT by XRD, XPS and Raman spectrum, Nb5+ substituted Ti4+ to form NbO6 octahedron and did not change the structure of SBT. The XRD patterns indicated the formation of the single phase of SBT for x = 0.01and 0.03 and secondary phase of Sr3Ti2O7 appeared when x > 0.1. To compare the effect of Nb doping, the ferroelectric properties (hysteresis loop, piezoelectric coefficient) of Nb-doped SBT were measured. The SBT doped with x = 0.15 was found to exhibit higher remanent polarization with d
 33 = 17 pC/N.

Structure and ferroelectric property of Nb-doped SrBi4Ti4O15 ceramics

Preparation and characterization of the layered hybrids (CnH2n+1NH3)2FeCl4

The microwave dielectric properties of the (1-x)CaTiO 3 - x Ca(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ceramic system have been investigated. The ceramic samples sintered at 1300°-1450°C for 4 h in air exhibit orthorhombic pervoskite and form a complete solid solution for different x value. When the x value increased from 0.2 to 0.8, the permittivity e r decreased from 115 to 42, the unloaded quality factor Q × f increased from 5030 to 13030 GHz, and the temperature coefficient τ f decreased from 336 to -28 ppm/°C. When x = 0.7, the best combination of dielectric properties, a near zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of τ f ∼ -6 ppm/°C, Q×f∼10 860 GHz and e r ∼51 is obtained.

Dielectric Properties of (1−x)CaTiO3–xCa(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 Ceramic System at Microwave Frequency

Amino-terminated polyethers and amino-terminated polyurethane were used as curing agent to cure the epoxy resin together and get a series of cured products. The damping properties of the composites were studied by DMA test at different measurement frequencies. Damping mechanical tests show that the flexible epoxy resin has higher loss factor than common epoxy. The highest loss factor reaches 1.57. Also the height and position of loss factor peak of the flexible epoxy resin varies by changing the content of amino-terminated polyethers. Results shows that the flexible epoxy resin can be used as damping polymer materials at room temperature or in common frequency range.

Shixi Ouyang

Papers

Study of A-site doping of SrBi4Ti4O15 Bi-layered compounds using micro-Raman spectroscopy

Structure and ferroelectric property of Nb-doped SrBi4Ti4O15 ceramics

Preparation and characterization of the layered hybrids (CnH2n+1NH3)2FeCl4

Dielectric Properties of (1−x)CaTiO3–xCa(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 Ceramic System at Microwave Frequency

Damping Properties of Flexible Epoxy Resin