In this study we aims to examine the effects of 0.5 mol% Cr2O3 addition on the reaction, microstructure development, resultant electrical properties, and especially the bulk trap and interface state levels of ZnO-Bi2O3-Sb2O3 (Sb/Bi=0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) systems (ZBS). The samples were prepared by conventional ceramic process, and characterized by XRD, density, SEM, I-V, impedance and modulus spectroscopy (IS & MS) measurement. The sintering and electrical properties of Cr-doped ZBS (ZBSCr) systems were controlled by Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore (Zn2Bi3Sb3O14) was decomposed more than 100℃ lowered on heating in ZBS (Sb/Bi=1.0) by Cr doping. The densification of ZBSCr (Sb/Bi=0.5) system was retarded to 800℃ by unknown Bi-rich phase produced at 700℃. Pyrochlore on cooling was reproduced in all systems. And Zn7Sb2O12 spinel (α-polymorph) and δ-Bi(2)O(3) phase were formed by Cr doping. In ZBSCr, the varistor characteristics were not improved drastically (non-linear coefficient α=7~12) and independent on microstructure according to Sb/Bi ratio. Doping of Cr2O3 to ZBS seemed to form Zn(i) (0.16 eV) and Vo (0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From IS & MS, especially the grain boundaries of Sb/Bi=0.5 systems were divided into two types, i.e. sensitive to oxygen and thus electrically active one (1.1 eV) and electrically inactive intergranular one (0.95 eV) with temperature.
Sintering and electrical characteristics of ZnO varistor with calcined additive of ZnO–Bi2O3–Cr2O3–Mn3O4 Dong-Hyeon Nam, Young-Woo Heo, Youn-Woo Hong Ceramics International.2026;[Epub] CrossRef