| Abstract Scope |
ZnO varistors are variable resistors that control current flow with voltage change, protecting electronic devices from voltage surges. Current synthesis approaches for ZnO varistors often yield inhomogeneous materials with large grain boundaries, resulting in inconsistent electrical performance. The motivation of this project is to synthesize ZnO powders homogeneously doped with MnO2, CoO, and Bi2O3 to enhance electrical properties in cold-sintered devices. We adjusted the calcination conditions of sol-gel derived ZnO powders doped with MnO2 and CoO to obtain desired characteristics, including nanoparticle size (<20nm), high crystallinity, ZnO phase purity, and minimal aggregation. These parameters were confirmed through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Following optimization, the powder was coated with Bi2O3, and scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy validated the material was homogeneously doped. We aim to develop varistors with faster voltage switching and longer lifespans for high-energy applications. |