Effect of Sintering Time of Sintered EaTiO₃ on Electrical Conductivity

Abstract

The relationship between the electrical conductivity of BaTiO₃ ceramics and sintering time was studied. SiO₂ (2wt%) and La₂O₃ (0.02wt%) were added to a mixture of BaCO₃ and TiO₂, and sintered at 1300°C for 1 to 10h in an oxygen atmosphere. With an increase in sintering time the electrical conductivity decreased, and the PTC effect became less evident. AC conductivities also decreased with sintering time, and showed a maximum value at the temperature at which PTC effect was observed in DC conductivity measurement. These experimental results can be explained by the change in trap density at the grain boundaries above and below the crystal transition point.