Microstructure and Electrical Properties of $Pr_6O_{11}$-Based ZnO Varistor Ceramics Doped With $Tb_4O_7$

$Tb_4O_7$이 첨가된 $Pr_6O_{11}$계 ZnO 바리스터 세라믹스의 미세구조 및 전기적 특성

The microstructure and electrical properties of the $Pr_6O_{11}$-based ZnO varistor ceramics, which are composed of Zn-Pr-Co-Cr-Tb oxides, were investigated with $Tb_4O_7$ amount. The varistor ceramics exhibited very high densification based on increasing density in the range of $5.73{\sim}5.85g/cm^3$ as $Tb_4O_7$ amount is increased. The calculated nonlinear exponent( ${\alpha}$ ) in varistor ceramics without $Tb_4O_7$ was only 8.9, whereas the ${\alpha}$ value of the varistor ceramics with $Tb_4O_7$ was abruptly increased in the range of 18.6 to 42.0. In particular, the maximum value(42.0) of ${\alpha}$ was obtained by doping of 1.0 mol% $Tb_4O_7$. The measured leakage current($I_{\ell}$) in varistor ceramics without $Tb_4O_7$ was $40.1{\mu}A$, whereas the $I{\ell}$ value of the varistors with $Tb_4O_7$ was very abruptly decreased below $5{\mu}A$. It is estimated that $Tb_4O_7$ additives will is applied usefully in development of varistors possessing high performance.