Fabrication and operation limit of lead-free PTCR ceramics using BaTiO3–(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3 system.

Abstract  The electric properties of BaTiO3–(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3 (BT–BNT) solid solution ceramics were studied as a lead-free PTCR (positive temperature coefficient of resistivity) thermistor material usable over 130°C. For determining the maximum switching temperature T s, the phase diagram of BT–BNT binary system was clarified. Two semiconductorization processes and their electric properties are described. The lanthanum(La)-doped BBNT ceramics sintered in air still showed dielectric behaviors, but the niobium(Nb)-doped ones had a low resistivity at room temperature, ρ RT, on the order of 103 Ωcm and showed a PTC behavior. Sintering under a low O2 atmosphere produces BT–BNT ceramics with less than 102 Ωcm compared to those prepared in air. Our current research produced the BBNT ceramics with T s values around 210°C by increasing the (Bi1/2Na1/2) content in the ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]