Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and electrical properties of ZVMCDN ceramics

The microstructure and electrical properties of ZnO-V(2)O(5)-MnO(2)-Co(3)O(4)-Dy(2)O(3)-Nb(2)O(5) (ZymCDN) ceramics were investigated in accordance with sintering temperature (850-950 degrees C). The microstructure of the samples consisted of mainly ZnO grain as a main phase, and Zn(3)(VO(4))(2). ZnV(2)O(4), and DyVO(4) as the minor secondary phases. The sintered density decreased from 5.69 to 5.52 g/cm(3) due to the volatility of V(2)O(5) in accordance with increasing sintering temperature. The maximum nonlinear coefficient (57) was obtained at 925 degrees C. The donor concentration increased from 1.15 x 10(18)/cm(3) to 11.1 x 10(18)/cm(3) in accordance with increasing sintering temperature and the barrier height exhibited the maximum value (1.03 eV) at 925 degrees C. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.