EFFECTS OF CATION CONTAMINANTS IN CONDUCTIVE TIO2 CERAMICS

Ten cation contaminants, namely, Al, Ga, Co, Fe, Mg, Zn, Zr, Ca, Sr, and Ba, were investigated for their effects on the electrical properties, microstructures, and discoloration of conductive TiO//2 ceramics. It was found that Al, Ga, Co, Fe, and Mg cause discoloration, and increase the electrical resistivity by factors of 10**4-10**6 in Nb-doped TiO//2 ceramics. The other dopants have a limited diffusivity and a small solubility in TiO//2, and do not give a significant increase in the electrical resistivity and discoloration.