Effective substitutions for rare earth metals in compositions and materials for electronic applications

A method of forming a modified garnet structure comprising:

• providing a material comprising oxides, carbonates, or a combination thereof;
• blending the material to form a mixture;
• drying the mixture at a temperature between 100-400° C.;
• sieving the dried mixture;
• calcining the sieved mixture at a temperature between 800-1000° C.;
• milling the calcined material into particles sizes of about 0.5 micron to 10 microns;
• spray drying the milled material to form granules;
• pressing the granules;
• and
• calcining the pressed granules at a temperature between about 850-1000° C. to form a composition represented by the formula:
• Bi(Y,Ca)2Fe4.2MI0.4MII0.4O12, wherein MI is on the octahedral site of the garnet and can be selected from the group consisting of In, Zn, Mg, Zr, Sn, Ta, Nb, Fe, Ti, Sb, and combinations thereof, wherein MII is on the tetrahedral site of the garnet and can be selected from the group consisting of:
• Ga, W, Mo, Ge, V, Si, and combinations thereof.