Article: AC ageing performance of Ag+ doped high voltage gradient ZnO varistors Journal: International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP) 2025 Vol.18 No.1/2 pp.128 - 138 Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) varistor exhibiting excellent nonlinear volt-ampere characteristics, has now been widely applied to overvoltage protection in electrical equipment. However, the greater severity of AC ageing is a realistic issue facing the high-voltage gradient varistors used in ultra-high-voltage surge arresters. To some degree, silver (Ag) doping is effective in improving the performance of varistors. In spite of this, it remains necessary to explore its influence on the ageing process of varistors. In this study, an investigation is conducted into the microstructure, macroscopic electrical properties, and barrier potential of varistors with different Ag doping concentrations, so as to determine the optimal level of doping concentration required for improving the long-term stability of varistors. Furthermore, the mechanism of Ag+ improving ageing resistance is accounted for in theory. The research results indicate the best anti-ageing performance is achieved at the doping concentration of 50 ppm. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: AC ageing performance of Ag⁺ doped high voltage gradient ZnO varistors

Authors: Lei Wang; Jian Zhang; Zhongyuan Li; Lu Li; Wenbo Yu; Jingke Guo

Addresses: State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute, Harbin, 150030, China ' State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute, Harbin, 150030, China ' State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute, Harbin, 150030, China ' State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute, Harbin, 150030, China ' State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. Electric Power Research Institute, Harbin, 150030, China ' Sichuan University, 24 South Section 1, 1st Ring Road, Chengdu, 610065, China

Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) varistor exhibiting excellent nonlinear volt-ampere characteristics, has now been widely applied to overvoltage protection in electrical equipment. However, the greater severity of AC ageing is a realistic issue facing the high-voltage gradient varistors used in ultra-high-voltage surge arresters. To some degree, silver (Ag) doping is effective in improving the performance of varistors. In spite of this, it remains necessary to explore its influence on the ageing process of varistors. In this study, an investigation is conducted into the microstructure, macroscopic electrical properties, and barrier potential of varistors with different Ag doping concentrations, so as to determine the optimal level of doping concentration required for improving the long-term stability of varistors. Furthermore, the mechanism of Ag⁺ improving ageing resistance is accounted for in theory. The research results indicate the best anti-ageing performance is achieved at the doping concentration of 50 ppm.

Keywords: varistors; doped; AC ageing; C-V characteristic.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2025.143429

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2025 Vol.18 No.1/2, pp.128 - 138

Received: 07 Apr 2024
Accepted: 25 Sep 2024
Published online: 19 Dec 2024 *

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Title: AC ageing performance of Ag+ doped high voltage gradient ZnO varistors

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Title: AC ageing performance of Ag⁺ doped high voltage gradient ZnO varistors