The hexagonal perovskite, Ba8ZnTa6O24, was prepared in single-phase form and was found to be a stable secondary phase, formed as a result of the loss of ZnO from Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3 microwave dielectrics. The experimental and calculated X-ray patterns of Ba8ZnTa6O24 indicate it is isostructural with Ba8Ta6NiO24 with an 8H (cchc)2 close-packed BaO3 stacking sequence and the lattice parameters, a=10.0825(14), c=19.0587 (38)Å . High-density ceramics of Ba8ZnTa6O24 could be prepared at temperatures considerably lower (1400ºC) than those used to sinter pure Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3, and exhibit very good microwave dielectric properties with ε=30.5, Qf=62300, and τf=+36 ppm/ºC at 8.9 GHz
