Zn and Sb interaction and oxygen defect chemistry in dense SnO₂ ceramics co-doped with ZnO and Sb₂O₅

Abstract

This paper reports study of zinc (Zn)-antimony (Sb) interactions as well as oxygen defect chemistry in dense SnO₂ ceramics using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Dense SnO₂ ceramics with ZnO and Sb₂O₅ additives with different concentration were synthesized by conventional techniques. Characterization using SIMS revealed the morphology of the SnO₂ ceramics, the concentration of Zn and Sb in SnO₂ grains, as well as segregation and secondary phase formation. The distributions of Zn and Sb were dependent on their concentrations. Oxygen diffusivity significantly decreased by the incorporation of Sb, whereas the diffusivity slightly increased with increasing Zn concentration in the SnO₂ grain. Our results show interaction of Zn, Sb, and oxygen vacancies, suggesting that incorporation of Zn into SnO₂ grains promotes Sb incorporation into the grains.