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Synthesis of ZnO based nanopowders via a non-hydrolytic sol gel technique and their densification behaviour and varistor properties

Anas Shereef (Materials and Minerals Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), CSIR, Trivandrum, Kerala, India)
Mukundan Poothayil (Materials and Minerals Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), CSIR, Trivandrum, Kerala, India)
Sanoj Ayyappan M. (Materials and Minerals Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), CSIR, Trivandrum, Kerala, India)
Mangalaraja Viswanathan R. (Department of Engineering Materials, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile)
Ananthakumar Solaiappan (Materials and Minerals Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), CSIR, Trivandrum, Kerala, India)

Hexagonal nanocrystalline varistor grade ZnO particles with size 50 nm and the specific surface area of 28 m2/g have been prepared by non-aqueous gelation technique involving diethylene glycol and triethanolamine. The as-prepared varistor nanopowders were analyzed with the support of XRD, TG/DTA, FTIR, TMA, SEM and TEM. Varistor discs were fabricated by pressing and their densification was studied at 850, 950, 1050 and 1150°C. The evolution of varistor microstructures, extent of grain growth and the influence of microstructure on the I-V properties were explored and presented. .

Keywords: nanocrystalline material, sintering, electrical properties, ZnO varistors