Effect of Bi2O3 and Sb2O3 on the grain size distribution of ZnO

In the present study, the effect of Bi2O3 and Bi2O3+Sb2O3 additions on the size distribution of ZnO grains is investigated. Without the usage of a powder bed, the addition of Bi2O3 provides a transient liquid phase that enhances the densification. The residual Bi segregates alters the surface/grain boundary energy ratio, which encourages the ZnO grains to grow. The size variation is also increased. The addition of both Bi2O3 and Sb2O3 induces the formation of pyrochlore, spinel and inversion boundary. Their presence reduces not only the average grain size, but also the size variation.