Conductivity And Microstructure Of Silver Borate Glass/Zirconia Composites, Prepared Via A High Pressure Route

Novel dense composites based on AgI-Ag2O-B2O3 glass/ZrO2 powders were prepared by the application of high pressures at 100-200 deg C. Their electrical properties, microstructures and thermal properties were determined and qualitative evaluation of their mechanical properties was undertaken. The electrical conductivity of the composites was lower by a factor of 2-5 than that of the base glass. Up to ~120 deg C, the conductivity has an Arrhenius dependence on with an activation energy of ~0.2eV, close to that of the glass. Scanning Electron micrographs show that the glassy phase has generally been evenly distributed between the ZrO2 grains, although some small drop like features next to the surfaces of zirconia grains were also observed.