SnO₂-based ceramics doped with Sb and/or Zn, have been prepared by solid state reaction at 1300 °C. The effect of dopants on electronic properties and sintering behavior has been studied. While undoped SnO₂ pellets displayed very low electrical conductivities and lower densities, the Sb-doped ceramics showed higher electrical conductivity, with almost no densification and a significant antimony loss. On the contrary, a high densification and low conductivity are obtained for Zn-doped ceramics. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate SnO₂ ceramics co-doped with Sb and Zn (SnO₂:Sb:Zn) to combine the advantages of both dopants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that Sb⁵⁺ is mainly substituted at the Sn⁴⁺ site for Sb-doped ceramics and is in agreement with Hall-measurements. In the case of SnO₂ samples co-doped with Sb and Zn, XPS and Hall data confirmed the presence of both Sb⁵⁺ and Sb³⁺+. The SnO₂:Sb:Zn system exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity and high densities. In addition, the presence of Zn prevented the Sb evaporation during sintering.

Title

Solid State Sciences Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2006, Pages 7-13

Publisher

--

Publisher Country

Palestine

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

--

Year

2006

Pages

--