Effects of Rare-Earth La2O3 Addition on Microstructures and Electrical Properties of SrTiO3 Varistor

The effects of rare-earth La2O3 addition on microstructures and electrical properties of SrTiO3 ceramics were investigated. Semiconductor SrTiO3-based voltage-sensing and dielectric dual functional ceramics was prepared by a single step sintering technology in this study, and the effects of the content of La2O3 on characteristics of the product were discussed in terms of microstructures and electrical properties of materials. The results show that SrTiO3-based ceramics doped with La2O3 exhibits more homogeneous grain distribution, greater grain size, and excellent voltage sensing and dielectric characteristics than those without La2O3 doping. The samples doped with 1.1% La2O3 were sintered at 1420 ℃ in N2+C weak reducing atmosphere. The average grain size of the samples doped with La2O3 is 40 μm, the breakdown voltage of 19.7 V*mm-1, the nonlinear exponent of 7.2, and dielectric constant of 22500. The results reveal that final products are suitable to use in low operating voltage.