Lithium Orthosilicate-Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Nano-Composite as Substrate for High Frequency Devices: Dielectric Characterization

Abstract

Dielectric properties of nanosized Lithium Orthosilicate (Li₄SiO₄) and linear low-density polyethylene composite at X-Band frequencies are investigated, to realize its utility as a substrate for microwave devices. Solid state technique is used to synthesize nano Li₄SiO₄. To confirm the structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nano Li₄SiO₄, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy are used. Composites of nano Li₄SiO₄ and linear low-density polyethylene matrix are synthesized with varying weight fraction of nano Li₄SiO₄ viz. 2%, 4% and 6%. The lateral portion of a fractured sample (composite) is examined using scanning electron microscope to confirm homogeneous dispersion of nano Li₄SiO₄ in linear low-density polyethylene matrix. Water absorption measurement of all the composites are carried out based on ASTM D570-98. Densities of the composites are measured via hydrostatic weighing by using Archimedes principle. Complex permittivity and permeability measurement of the composites are recorded by utilizing Nicholson-Ross approach. For all weight fraction of the nano inclusions, the real component of permittivity and dielectric loss tangent of the composites in the X-band are found to be in the range of 2.2 – 2.6 and 10^-2 –10^-4, respectively. Return losses for the composites are calculated from complex permittivity and permeability values to validate its applicability as substrate for various high frequency applications.