Abstract
In this study, the influence of CaZrO3 doped with three dopants, SiO2, MnO, and Nb2O5, and then sintered in a reducing atmosphere on microstructure, phase formation, and electrical properties is investigated. SiO2 plays the role of sintering aid to enhance the density of CaZrO3 leading to better performance of electrical properties as a function of SiO2 content. MnO, and Nb2O5 were incorporated into the Zr-site of CaZrO3 to make stoichometric CaZrO3 into non-stoichiometric CaZrO3 with Zr excess resulting in the formation of a second phase, CaZr4O9, which has a lower dielectric constant (13) in comparison with that of the main phase of CaZrO3 (32). Thus, the dielectric constant of CaZrO3 doped with Nb2O5, or MnO is decreased markedly. In addition, Mn+2 incorporated into Zr-sites of CaZrO3 plays the role of acceptor, which compensates for the number of conduction electrons and contributes to better performance of electrical properties such as insulation resistance and tan δ. Conversely, Nb+5 incorporated into Zr-sites of CaZrO3 plays the role of donor and provides more conduction electrons, leading to poor performance of electrical properties.