A new precursor to lightweight porous Si–Al–O–B ceramics with enhanced microwave transmissivity

Nowadays, complicated preparation processes and harsh sintering conditions wave transparent ceramics limit its further development. To solve this problem, we explore a promising precursor by adopting a polymerization-pyrolysis method to prepare porous Si–Al–O–B ceramics at a mild sintering condition (1000 °C). The porous Si–Al–O–B ceramics exhibits enhanced wave transparency at 10–16 GHz with a low dielectric constant (<3), a low loss angle tangent value (<0.01), and simultaneously, a relative high flexible strength of 82 MPa. According to the results of the XRD and FTIR analysis, porous Al₄B₂O₉ crystallization dispersed in the amorphous SiO₂ matrix constructs the main phases of the products. The changes of Al and B elements are confirmed to have an effect on the phase compositions and micro structure of the composite ceramics, which obviously affect the mechanical and dielectric properties of the derived ceramics. The as-prepared porous Si–Al–O–B ceramics could be a potential candidate for next generation electronic window materials due to its low dielectric constant and loss angle tangent value, as well as high flexible strength.