Abstract
The effects of $La_2O_3$on the microstructure and electrical characteristics of Pr-based ZnO varistors were investigated. The average grain size increased in the range of 21.9~56.3$\mu$ m with increasing $La_2O_3$additive content(0.0~2.0 mol%). La was, of course grain boundary, largely segregated at the nodal point. As $La_2O_3$additive content increases, threshold voltage and nonlinear coefficient decreased and leakage current increased. In particular, 2.0 mol% $La_2O_3$-added varistor exhibited low threshold voltage 17.0V/mm and nonlinear coefficient of about 6. Based on these results, this varistor can be said to be used as low-voltage varistor, if nonlinear coefficient is somewhat improved forward.