SOL-GEL PROCESSING OF VARISTOR POWDERS

A new sol-gel method for the preparation of ZnO varistor powders, using inexpensive source materials such as acetates and nitrates, is described. It yields powders with a more homogeneous distribution of dopants compared to the commercially used mixed oxide technique. Varistor ceramics made from sol-gel powders can be sintered at lower temperatures and show improved electrical behavior. This is a consequence of formation of more varistor-active grain boundaries within the ceramics.