Thick-Film Negative-Temperature-Coefficient Thermistors with a Linear Resistance-Temperature Relation

The effect of the resistance.. of Mn1.85Co0.3Ni0.85O4 (MCN) thick-film negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) thermistors on temperature T is studied carefully. Interestingly, the R-T relation is found to be decided simultaneously by the characteristic of the MCN oxide and the electrode structure of the NTC thermistor. For plane end electrodes, the R-T relation is nonlinear. However, for plane fork electrodes, the R-T relation can be linear. To clarify the intrinsic mechanism of the linear R-T relation, the electric field distribution in the MCN thick film is simulated. The obtained results suggest that the non-uniform electric field distribution between the electrodes is responsible for the R-T relation linearization.