NTCR behavior of Sm-substituted barium zirconium titanate nanocrystalline solid solution

Ceramic solid solution of nanocrystalline barium zirconium titanate in the form of Ba(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 substituted by samarium (Sm3+) was prepared using the conventional solid state reaction method. The phase assemblage analyzed by the X-ray diffraction technique was fitted for cubic-crystal-symmetry. The change in the grain size depicted the influence of Sm3+ ions on the microstructure. The electrical behavior was studied in the temperature range from 323 to 773 K. The sintered samples exhibited a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) and superior semiconducting behavior above 513 K. Addition of Sm3+ increased the room temperature resistivity of Ba(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 solid solution. The results obtained from the thermoelectric power measurement confirm electrons as the majority charge carriers.