Effect of Sb/Bi Ratio on Sintering and Grain Boundary Properties of ZnO-Bi₂O₃-Sb₂O₃-Mn₃O₄-Co₃O₄Varistor

Abstract

In this study we aims to examine the co-doping effects of 1/3 mol% $Mn_3O_4+Co_3O_4$ (1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties such as the bulk defects and grain boundary properties of $ZnO-Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi=0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Mn,Co-doped ZBS, ZBS(MCo) varistors were controlled by Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$) was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature on heating in Sb/Bi=1.0 by Mn rather than Co. Pyrochlore on cooling was reproduced in all systems however, spinel (${\alpha}$- or ${\beta}$-polymorph) did not formed in Sb/Bi=0.5. More homogeneous microstructure was obtained in $Sb/Bi{\geq}1.0$ In ZBS(MCo), the varistor characteristics were improved drastically (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$=30~49), and seemed to form $Zn_i^{..}$(0.17 eV) and $V_o^{\bullet}$(0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy (IS & MS), the grain boundaries have divided into two types, i.e. the one is tentatively assign to $ZnO/Bi_2O_3(Mn,Co)/ZnO$ (0.47 eV) and the other ZnO/ZnO (0.80~0.89 eV) homojunctions.