Comparative study of two synthesis methods to obtain ZnO-Pr2O3-CoO ceramic powders

Zinc oxide containing rare earth metal and Cobalt oxide are utilized as raw material to make varistors. Some of systems were found to exhibit non-ohmic current-voltaje characteristics and they are applicable not only for low voltaje devices but also for hight voltaje electric power stations. The microstructure of ZnO varistor can be considered as a vehicle thorugh which all of these properties ara manifested. Therefore, a discussion of the microstructure cannot be separated from a discussion of the properties. Fine particle dimensions and a narrow size distribution are often important aims when fabricating a ceramic material of a desired microstructure. Chemical methods give the ability to produce powders with an exceptionally small size in the nanometer range. In this paper we report the production of nanosized ZnO, doped with cobalt and Praseodymium oxides, using co-precipitation reaction and metallorganic polymeric method. Adequate description of synthesis methods and the characterization of ceramic powders obtained are show.