Combined FTIR and SEM-EDS study of Bi2O3 doped ZnO-SnO2 ceramics.

The effects of Bi(2)O(3) addition on the phase composition, microstructure and optical properties of ZnO-SnO(2) ceramics were investigated. Starting powders of ZnO and SnO(2) were mixed in the molar ratio 2:1. After adding Bi(2)O(3) (1.0 mol.%) this mixture was mechanically activated for 10 min in a planetary ball mill, uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1300 degrees C for 2 h. Far-infrared reflection spectra were measured (100-1000 cm(-1)). To investigate the occurred differences in FTIR spectra, the Bi(2)O(3)-doped sample was examined more carefully with a Perkin-Elmer FTIR spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) connected with a Perkin-Elmer FTIR microscope and itemized points of interest were also studied with SEM-EDS.