Tuning the Properties of Tantalum- and Niobium Oxides; A Key to Tailor-made Materials for Passive Components

摘要

Although tantalum and niobium oxides can be found in many industrial applications, electronic applications dominate their usage. For example lithium niobate- and tantalate single crystals as well as microwave ceramics like barium zink tantalate are most common in telecommunications. Therefore it is astonishing that the capacitor industry has exploited their properties only in terms of high K materials (PMN, ATN) or as additives in barium titanate formulations. However, recent innovations in the field of capacitor grade niobium- and tantalum metal powders, especially the magnesium gas reduction of oxides, have led to a new focus on the precursor development. Tantalum and niobium oxides with different morphologies and different physical properties have been developed opening a door to new products and markets. The possibility to adjust the morphology of tantalum and niobium oxides according to the requirements of a capacitor grade powder and retaining it during the magnesium gas reduction process could be demonstrated. This makes the design of tailor-made capacitor grade metal powders feasible.