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The effects of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the electrical characteristics of ZnO-based composites

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Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Abstract

In this experimental work, the effects of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on electrical characteristics of zinc oxide–MWCNT–high-density polyethylene composite varistors have been investigated. All the samples were made at the temperature of 130 °C and pressure of 60 MPa by the hot-press method. Results show that increasing zinc oxide content in the mixture increases breakdown voltage up to 170 V, where the highest nonlinear coefficient (α ~ 13) corresponds to the samples with 95 wt% of ZnO. Results with regard to the effects of MWCNT as an additive reveal that increasing its content from 1 to 2.5% in the composites, the breakdown voltage decreases to 50 V, but the highest nonlinear coefficient (~ 14) corresponds to the sample with 1.5% of MWCNT content. It is also revealed that, heat treatment of the sample at a constant temperature of 135 °C and different time intervals from 2 to 10 h, the sample with 6 h annealing time shows maximum breakdown voltages (Vb = 140 V) with the highest nonlinear coefficient (~ 14). Investigation of the potential barrier height of samples shows a complete consistency with the breakdown voltage variations. The results have been justified regarding XRD patterns and SEM micrographs of samples.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support for this work from the University of Tabriz, Iran, is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Tabriz, 29 Bahman Blvd., Imam St., Tabriz, Iran

    N. Asaadi, M. Parhizkar, H. Bidadi & S. Mohammadi Aref

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran

    M. Ghafouri

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  1. N. Asaadi
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  2. M. Parhizkar
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  3. H. Bidadi
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  4. S. Mohammadi Aref
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Correspondence to M. Parhizkar.

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Asaadi, N., Parhizkar, M., Bidadi, H. et al. The effects of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the electrical characteristics of ZnO-based composites. J Theor Appl Phys 14, 329–337 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40094-020-00389-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40094-020-00389-y

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