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

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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.

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Correspondence to Yu-juan Dong  (董玉娟).

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Foundation item: Projects(BK2011243, BK2012156) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China; Project(20123227120021) supported by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education, China; Project(KFJJ201105) supported by the Opening Project of State key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, China; Project(10KJD430002) supported by the Universities Natural Science Research Project of Jiangsu Province, China; Project(13KJB430006) supported by the Application Program for Basic Research of Changzhou, China; Project supported by the Industrial Center of Jiangsu University Undergraduate Practice-Innovation Training Project, China

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Dong, Yj., Cui, Fd., Jiao, L. et al. Effects of Eu2O3 doping on microstructural and electronic properties of ZnO-Bi2O3-based varistor ceramics prepared by high-energy ball milling. J. Cent. South Univ. 20, 2947–2953 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1817-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1817-z

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