Textured Al-doped ZnO ceramics with isotropic grains

Pure ZnO and single Al-doped ZnO compounds without secondary phase have been obtained by SPS process. Starting powders prepared by co-precipitation have been synthesized. The sintered pellets exhibit different texture degree but similar isotropic shaped grains. Sintering mechanisms are proposed for both powders, explaining the different texture and grain size evolutions as a direct consequence of the differences observed in both compounds. The influence of texture and grain morphology on the thermoelectric properties is studied.