Enhanced properties of Li0.42Zn0.27Ti0.11Mn0.1Fe2.1O4 ferrites co-fired with Bi2O3–B2O3 additive at low sintering temperatures

In this study, Li0.42Zn0.27Ti0.11Mn0.1Fe2.1O4 ferrites were co-fired with Bi2O3–B2O3 (BB) additive at low sintering temperatures (∼920 °C), and the effects of BB additive on various properties of Li–Zn ferrites were systematically investigated. First of all, the existence of BB additive would not pollute the spinel phases of Li–Zn ferrites, in contrast, it could make the ferrites well-ripened at low temperatures. The micro-morphology results revealed that the introduction of BB additive could significantly promote the grain growth, where the average diameter of grain size increased from 0.81 μm (0.0 wt % BB) to 8.12 μm (0.5 wt % BB), leading to a higher densification degree and density. Owing to the liquid phase formed in the sintering process, magnetic properties of the Li–Zn ferrites were improved with the assistance of BB additive. The saturation flux density (Bs) and saturation magnetization could reach a maximum value of 319.3 mT and 74.2 emu/g, respectively. The coercivity (Hc) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidths (ΔH) could reach a minimum value of 176.3 A/m and 243.2 Oe, respectively. Finally, it is noted that the optimal values of these parameters are obtained under the condition of 0.5 wt % BB additive doped, and most magnetic properties would be deteriorated when exceeding the above content. Thus, BB additive is considered as a promising sintering aid for synthesizing Li–Zn ferrites at low temperatures, which will play a vital role in the development of low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology.