Strong nonlinear current-voltage behaviour in perovskite-derivative calcium copper titanate.

The discovery of a giant dielectric constant of 10(5) in CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) has increased interest in this perovskite-type oxide. Here we demonstrate that, in addition to high permittivity, CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) has remarkably strong nonlinear current-voltage characteristics without the addition of any dopants. An intrinsic electrostatic barrier at the grain boundaries is responsible for the unusual nonlinear behaviour. The nonlinear coefficient of CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) reaches a value of 900, which is even greater than that of the varistor material ZnO. As a result, CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) may lead to efficient switching and gas-sensing devices.