The electrical properties of a ceramic varistor depend strongly on its microstructural uniformity. In the present study, the microstructure of the Bi 2 O 3 -doped ZnO after sintering is characterized. A very small amount, 0.04 mol%, of Bi 2 O 3 -addition may induce density inhomogeneity in the early stage of sintering. A critical amount, >0.09 mol%, of Bi 2 O 3 is needed to result in density uniformity. The addition of Bi 2 O 3 can enhance the coarsening rate of ZnO grains; nevertheless, the grain size distribution is not affected.
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