Analysis on Metal Contact Resistance and Grain Boundary Barrier Height of Ceramic PTC Thermistor

Ceramic PTC thermistor의 금속접촉저항과 입계전위장벽

The contact resistance and grain boundary potential barrier of ceramic $BaTiO_3$ PTCR were investigated. The electroless plated Ni, evaporated Al, and Ag paste were chosen as electrode materials of PTCR device for comparison analysis before and after heat treatment. The contact resistance of electrode were measured by electrometer (dc), digital multimeter (dc), and LCR meter (ac). In the case of Al electroded samples, the heat treatment and protective oxide layer had high resistance and effect on the stability of PTCR effect against contact resistance degradation, but the Ag-paste had comparably high contact resistance before heat treatment and decreased after heat treatment with safe. On the other hand, the samples with electroless plated Ni electrode had good properties of contact resistance against aging.