Investigation of PTCR characteristics in Nb2O5-doped BaTiO3-based chip-type ceramics prepared by reduction sintering-reoxidation method

This study investigates the influence of sintering conditions on electrical properties and positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) of [Formula: see text] (BTNO) ceramics, fired at [Formula: see text]C for different times from 1 to 6 h in a reducing atmosphere and reoxidised within the temperature range of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]C for 1 h. The results showed that the room-temperature (RT) resistance and the resistance jump of the multilayer BTNO ceramics decreased with an increase in the firing time. Furthermore, the RT resistance of the BTNO samples gradually increased at first and then rapidly increased with increasing reoxidation temperature. In addition, the influence of sintering times on the microstructure of ceramics was also investigated.