Synergistic effects of Pr6O11 and Co3O4 on electrical and microstructure features of ZnO-BaTiO3 varistor ceramics

• Main Authors: Shaifudin, Muhamad Syaizwadi, Mohd Ghazali, Mohd Sabri, Wan Mohamad Kamaruzzaman, Wan Mohamad Ikhmal, Wan Abdullah, Wan Rafizah, Kassim, Syara, Ismail, Nur Quratul Aini, Sa’at, Nor Kamilah, Mohd Zaid, Mohd Hafiz, Mohd Fekeri, Maria Fazira, Matori, Khamirul Amin
• Format: Article
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/95246/; https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/4/702

This paper investigated the effects of Pr6O11 and Co3O4 on the electrical properties of ZnO-BaTiO3 varistor ceramics. The Pr6O11 doping has a notable influence on the characteristics of the nonlinear coefficient, varistor voltage, and leakage current where the values varied from 2.29 to 2.69, 12.36 to 68.36 V/mm and 599.33 to 548.16 µA/cm2, respectively. The nonlinear varistor coefficient of 5.50 to 7.15 and the varistor voltage of 7.38 to 8.10 V/mm was also influenced by the use of Co3O4 as a dopant. When the amount of Co3O4 was above 0.5 wt.%, the leakage current increased from 202.41 to 302.71 μA/cm2. The varistor ceramics with 1.5 wt.% Pr6O11 shows good nonlinear electrical performance at higher breakdown voltage and reduced the leakage current of the ceramic materials. Besides, the varistor sample that was doped with 0.5 wt.% Co3O4 was able to enhance the nonlinear electrical properties at low breakdown voltage with a smaller value of leakage current.