Real structure of the components of ZnO-Sb₆O₁₃ oxide mixture

Abstract

Measurements of lattice parameters and of high-frequency electrical conductivity were used to study the interaction of the components of ZnO-Sb₆O₁₃ mixtures in the concentration range 0 to 40 at % Sb after annealing at 500° C. It was found that the volume of the unit cell of the ZnO crystal lattice decreases in the low antimony concentration range, passes through a minimum at 1 at % Sb, and increases in the high antimony concentration range. Similar behaviour is observed in the course of the real part of high-frequency electrical conductivity, with a minimum at 6 at % Sb. These variations are explained by changes in the real structure of both components due to mutual interactions. It is supposed that the concentration of intersticial Zn ^·_i or ^··_i atoms in the ZnO crystal lattice decreased due to oxygen vacancies being occupied by oxygen atoms released from the Sb₆O₁₃ layer and due to the formation of substitutional Sb_Zn defects. The Sb₆O₁₃ becomes oxygen deficient and the resulting oxygen substoichiometry gives rise to the formation of oxygen vacancies in the Sb₆O₁₃ crystal lattice.