With the global rollout of 5G networks and the onset of 6G research, the need for advanced materials that enable faster and more reliable wireless communication has never been greater. Microwave dielectric ceramics, key components in devices like resonators, filters, and antennas, must meet strict criteria: low signal delay, low loss, and stable performance across temperatures.
A research team from Guilin University of Technology in China has risen to this challenge by developing a novel garnet-type ceramic, YMAG. Synthesized using a solid-state reaction method, YMAG exhibits impressive microwave properties: a permittivity (εr) of 9.86, a quality factor (Q×f) of 89,000 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) of -40 ppm/°C. These properties make it a strong candidate for high-frequency applications.
"The high Q×f value indicates low dielectric loss, which is crucial for minimizing signal degradation in high-speed communication systems," said Huanfu Zhou, a corresponding author from Guilin University of Technology. "Additionally, the material's low permittivity helps reduce signal delay, a key requirement for 5G and 6G technologies."
The team published their work in Journal of Advanced Ceramics on July 12, 2025.
To enhance the material's temperature stability, the researchers added TiO2 as a compensation agent. This adjustment tuned the τf to within |τf |<10 ppm/°C—near-zero, which is ideal for maintaining performance across varying temperatures—while preserving a high Q×f of ~43,000 GHz.
Far-infrared and terahertz spectroscopic analyses confirmed the material's low intrinsic loss and stable dielectric characteristics at high frequencies. "These tests verify that the material's excellent performance isn't limited to specific frequency ranges but holds up in the high-frequency bands used in next-gen communications," noted Zhou.
The team also designed a rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) using the optimized YMAG-TiO2 composite. The antenna achieved excellent impedance matching (VSWR=1.02) and high radiation efficiency (>90%) in the X-band (10.21 GHz), further validating the material's practical application potential.
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to refine the material further and explore its use in actual 5G/6G devices. "Our goal is to contribute to the development of faster, more efficient communication systems by providing high-performance materials that meet the stringent demands of next-gen technologies," Zhou said.
This work not only introduces a new material for microwave applications but also demonstrates a effective approach to material design and optimization, offering valuable insights for future research in the field.
About Author
Huanfu Zhou is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology. His research focuses on advanced microwave dielectric materials and devices, lithium ion conductors, and varistor materials and devices. He has presided over 3 National Natural Science Foundation projects, 4 Guangxi Natural Science Foundation projects, 1 Guangxi Science and Technology Development Program project, and 1 key enterprise-commissioned project. He also participated in 2 Guangxi Science and Technology Development Program projects as a technical leader, and 1 National 863 Program and 1 National 973 Project as a core member.
He has published over 90 SCI papers in journals like Journal of the American Ceramic Society, holds over 10 Chinese patents and 1 US patent, and serves as a reviewer for journals including Dalton Transactions. His honors include the 2017 Guangxi Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars, 2013 Guangxi Natural Science Second Prize, 2015 Beihai Science and Technology Progress Second Prize, and ICDD Important Contribution Awards in 2011 and 2012. He was appointed a science and technology commissioner in 2010.
About Journal of Advanced Ceramics
Journal of Advanced Ceramics (JAC) is an international academic journal that presents the state-of-the-art results of theoretical and experimental studies on the processing, structure, and properties of advanced ceramics and ceramic-based composites. JAC is Fully Open Access, monthly published by Tsinghua University Press, and exclusively available via SciOpen . JAC's 2024 IF is 16.6, ranking in Top 1 (1/33, Q1) among all journals in "Materials Science, Ceramics" category, and its 2024 CiteScore is 25.9 (5/130) in Scopus database. ResearchGate homepage: https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Journal-of-Advanced-Ceramics-2227-8508
