• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.473-479
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• 2005

Thermoelectric $Zn_4Sb_3$ alloys were synthesized by a conventional powder metallurgy process consisting of solid state reaction and hot pressing. Single phase $Zn_4Sb_3$ was successfully produced by the annealing of cold compact starting with the mixed elemental powders, and subsequent hot pressing yielded single phase bulk specimens without microcracks. Phase transformations in this alloy system during synthesis were investigated using XRD, SEM and EDS. Thermoelectric properties as a function of temperature were investigated from room temperature to 600 K and compared with results of analogue studies. Transport properties at room temperature were also evaluated. Thermoelectric properties of single phase $Zn_4Sb_3$ materials produced by this process are comparable to the published data. Synthesis by solid state reaction and hot pressing offers a potential processing route to produce a bulk $Zn_4Sb_3$.ٓ

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.689-695
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• 2012

We have examined the co-doping effects of 1/2 mol% NiO and 1/4 mol% $Cr_2O_3$ (Ni:Cr = 1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties, such as the bulk defects and the grain boundary properties, of ZnO-$Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Ni,Cr-doped ZBS, ZBS(NiCr) varistors were controlled using the Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$), ${\alpha}$-spinel ($Zn_7Sb_2O_{12}$), and ${\delta}-Bi_2O_3$ were detected for all of compositions. For the sample with Sb/Bi = 1.0, the Pyrochlore was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature by Ni rather than by Cr. A homogeneous microstructure was obtained for all of the samples affected by ${\alpha}$-spinel. The varistor characteristics were not dramatically improved (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$ = 5~24), and seemed to form ${Zn_i}^{{\cdot}{\cdot}}$(0.17 eV) and ${V_o}^{\cdot}$(0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy, the grain boundaries were found to have been divided into two types, i.e., one is tentatively assigned to ZnO/$Bi_2O_3$ (Ni,Cr)/ZnO (0.98 eV) and the other is assigned to a ZnO/ZnO (~1.5 eV) homojunction.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.834-839
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• 2000

The structural properties that SEM photograph of ZnO varistors surface studied by fractal mathematics program were investigated to verify the relations of electrical characteristics. The SEM photograph of ZnO varistors surface were changed by binary code and the grain shape of that were analyzed by fractal dimension. The void of ZnO varistors surface was found by fractal program. The relation between grain density and electrical properties depend on fractal dimension. The grain size in ZnO varistors surface was decreased by increasing of Sb$_2$O$_3$ addition. The spinel structure was formed by Sb$_2$O$_3$addition and it was depressed the ZnO grain formation. The grain size of ZnO by Sb$_2$O$_3$addition were from 5 to 10[${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$]. Among of ZnO varistors, fractal dimension of ZnO4 was very high as a 1.764. The density of grain boundary in ZnO2 and ZnO3 varistors surface was 15[%] by formed spinal structure. The breakdown electric field of ZnO2 that fractal dimension has 1.752 was very high to be 8.5[kV/cm]. When the fractal dimensin was high, the grain shape of ZnO varistors was complex and the serial layers of ZnO grain was increased.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.215-215
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2000.05b
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• pp.185-189
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• 2000

ZnO varistor has many merits as compared with SiC varistor. But, because of leakage current and non-linear coefficient, it has unstable function properties. For the purpose of improvement of ZnO varistor properties, ZnO varistor is studied according to sintering condition and mixing condition. ZnO varistor, $ZnO-Bi_2O_2-Y_2O_3-MnO-Cr_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ series, is fabricated with $Sb_2O_3$ mol ratio(0.5-4[mol%]) and sintered at $1250[^{\circ}C]$ In accordance with $Sb_2O_3$ mol ratio and sintering temperature, grain size and non-linear coefficient are measured. The specimen, $Sb_2O_3$ mol ratio is 1[mol%], has small grain size. It has best properties because of its liquid phase shape. When $Sb_2O_3$ mol ratio is 1[mol%], grain size is decreased.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.11
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• pp.1794-1798
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• 2018

We have grown famatinite $Cu_3SbS_4$ films by using sulfurization of Cu/Sb stack film. Sulfurization at $500^{\circ}C$ produced famatinite $Cu_3SbS_4$ phase, while $400^{\circ}C$ and $450^{\circ}C$ sulfurization exhibited unreacted and mixed phases. The fabricated $Cu_3SbS_4$ film showed S-deficiency, and secondary phase of $Cu_{12}Sb_4S_{13}$. The secondary phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence and external quantum efficiency measurements. We have also fabricated solar cell in substrate type structure, ITO/ZnO/(Zn,Sn)O/$Cu_3SbS_4$/Mo/glass, where $Cu_3SbS_4$ was used as a absorber layer and (Zn,Sn)O was employed as a Cd-free buffer. Our best cell showed power conversion efficiency of 0.198%. Characterization results of $Cu_3SbS_4$ absorber indicates deep defect (due to S-deficiency) and low shunt resistance (due to $Cu_{12}Sb_4S_{13}$ phase). Thus in order to improve the cell efficiency, it is required to grow high quality $Cu_3SbS_4$ film with no S-deficiency and no secondary phase.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.969-976
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• 2011

In this study we aims to evaluate the effects of 1/3 mol% $Co_3O_4$ addition on the reaction, microstructure development, resultant electrical properties, and especially the bulk trap and grain boundary properties of $ZnO-Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (Sb/Bi=2.0, 1.0, and 0.5) system (ZBS). The samples were prepared by conventional ceramic process, and characterized by XRD, density, SEM, I-V, impedance and modulus spectroscopy (IS & MS) measurement. In addition of $Co_3O_4$ in $ZnO-Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBSCo), the phase development, density, and microstructure were controlled by Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore on cooling was reproduced in all systems. The more homogeneous microstructure was obtained in ZBSCo (Sb/Bi=1.0) system. In ZBSCo, the varistor characteristics were improved drastically (non-linear coefficient ${\alpha}$=23~50) compared to ZBS. Doping of $Co_3O_4$ to ZBS seemed to form $V^{\cdot}_o$(0.33 eV) as dominant defect. From IS & MS, especially the grain boundary of Sb/Bi=0.5 system is composed of electrically single barrier (0.93 eV) and somewhat sensitive to ambient oxygen with temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.433-438
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• 1987

The current-voltage characteristics of the ZnO varisor with and without Sb2O3 which were fabricated with the various calcination and sintering temperature were discussed by comparing the results of SEM-microstructures and X-ray diffraction analysis. The samples were calcined at the temperature up to 800\ulcorner for 2 hours and they were sintered at 1200-1300\ulcorner for 1 hour. Then, we applied the power up to dc 200 volt to the samples and measured the output current up to 100mA. The samples without Sb2O3 had lower nonlinear resistances at the all calcination and sintering temperatures due to the large grains because of not forming Spinel phase. The other samples contained Sb2O3 could form Pyrochlore and Spinel phases at the all calcination temperatures by X-ray diffraction phase analysis. We found that the Spinel phases which were formed at the calcination process inhibit growth of ZnO grain and give rise to the change of nonlinear resistances by SEM-microstructures. And we found that the base of ZnO grain growth control is strongly dependent on the behavior of Sb2O3 in calcination process.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 1984

The dielectric properties of $BaTiO_3$ containing 0~0.3mol% and ZnO respectively as additives were investigated as a function of temperature from $25^{\circ}C$ to 14$0^{\circ}C$ and frequency from 24 KHz to 15MHz. The density of sintered $BaTiO_3$ was increased with addition of increasing to 0.15mol% amounts of $Sb_2O_3$ and the dielectric constant was also increased. This is due to space charge polarization with Ba vacancies. Above 0.15mol% $Sb_2O_3$ the density was decreased and the dielectric constant was also decreased due to occuring the discharge through voids. The density of sintered $BaTiO_3$ was decreased with addition of increasing to 0.15mol% amounts of ZnO and the dielectric constant was decreased due to occuring the discharge through voids. Above 0.15mol% ZnO the density was increased and the dielectric constant was also increased.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 1998

By comparison of the experimental results in two systems of ZnO varistors, it's appear that Sb2O3 is the indispensable element for twining in ZnO varistors and the Zn7Sb2O12 spinel acts as the nucleus to form twins. Al2O3 is not the origin of twining in ZnO varistor, but it was found that Al2O3 could strengthen the twining and form a deformation twining by ZnAl2O4 dragging and pinning effect. The inhibition ratios of grain and nonuniformity of two systems ZnO varistors increase with the increase of Al2O3 content. The twins affect the inhibition of grain growth, the mechanism could be explained follow as: twins increase the mobility viscosity of ZrO grain and grain boundary, and drag ZrO grain and liquid grain boundary during the sintering, then the grain growth is inhibited and the microstructure becomes more uniform.