Effects of Eu₂O₃ doping on microstructural and electronic properties of ZnO-Bi₂O₃-based varistor ceramics prepared by high-energy ball milling

Abstract

ZnO-Bi₂O₃-based varistor ceramics doped with Eu₂O₃ in a range from 0 to 0.4% were obtained by high-energy ball milling and fired at 900–1 000 °C for 2 h. XRD and SEM were applied to determine the phases and microstructure of the varistor ceramics. A DC parameter instrument was applied to investigate the electronic properties and V-I characteristics. The XRD analysis of Eu₂O₃-doped ZnO-Bi₂O₃-based varistor ceramics shows that the ZnO, Eu-containing Bi-rich, Zn₇Sb₂O₁₂-type spinel and Zn₂Bi₃Sb₃O₁₄-type which is the pyrochlore phase are present. With increasing Eu₂O₃ content, the average size of ZnO grain firstly decreases and then increases. The grain boundary defect model was particularly used to explain the excellent nonlinearity of ZnO-Bi₂O₃-based varistor ceramics with the addition of 0.1 % Eu₂O₃ and sintered at 950 °C.

Keywords

ceramics / varistors / rare earth / microstructure / electronic properties

References

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