Differences in Wetting Characteristics of Bi2O3 Polymorphs in ZnO Varistor Materials

Detailed analysis of the microstructure of grain boundaries, especially triple‐grain and multiple‐grain junctions, in ZnO varistor materials has been performed using transmission electron microscopy. Different polymorphs of Bi2O3 are shown to exhibit different wetting properties on ZnO interfaces. Recent investigations suggest that the equilibrium configuration consists of crystalline Bi2O3 in the triple‐grain and multiple‐grain junctions and an amorphous bismuth‐rich film in the ZnO/ZnO grain boundaries. The present investigation supports this suggestion for δ‐Bi2O3 and also adds to the microstructural image and wetting properties of α‐Bi2O3.