Composition dependence of the electrical conductivity of ZnO(n)-CuO(p) ceramic composite

Abstract

Electrical properties of semiconducting ZnO(n)-CuO(p) ceramic composites with varying composition were investigated. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing CuO volume fraction between 1 to 95 mol%. Impedance response showed three semicircles, indicating three resistive elements contributing to the total resistance of the composite. A new model based on the equivalent circuits was developed to explain the contribution of grain boundaries to the resistance of the composite. The change of electrical conductivity was explained by the probability change of two equivalent circuits.