The sintering and electrical properties of Zn-substituted LaCo0·4Ni0·6O3 ceramics based upon experiments and calculations

Abstract

To explore a low–cost functional phase alternative material for thick film resistors, the thermal behavior, sintering and electrical properties of LaCo0·4Ni0.6-yZnyO3 (y = 0.00–0.08, LCNZ) ceramics were investigated through experiments and density functional theory calculations. Results of simultaneous thermal analysis, thermomechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and DC four–probe method indicated that substitution of Ni-ion by Zn–ion could lower the phase formation and densification temperatures of LCNZ, as well as increase the resistivity and decrease the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). The resistivity of 0.94 mΩ cm (y = 0.00) and 1.03 mΩ cm (y = 0.02), as well as TCR value of −312.79 ppm/°C (for y = 0.00) and −872.82 ppm/°C (for y = 0.02) could be achieved as the LCNZ ceramics sintered at 1200 °C. The variations of octahedral bond population, electron density around oxygens, and partial density of states near the Fermi level firmly supported the results of experiments.