Different phases of the transition metal oxide system of indium-manganese-n
ickel have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction. The electrical prope
rties of the spinel phases have been characterized by measurement of the sp
ecific resistivity and activation energy indicating a negative temperature
coefficient (NTC) material. The replacement of Mn by In in the system Ni-Mn
-O results in the formation of single phase spinels with higher specific re
sistivities and thermal constant values. In three series with fixed Ni amou
nts of 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition takes p
lace at nearly the same In content of 0.78. Secondary phases like In2O3 and
NiO have been found in samples with a Ni content of 0.60 if the total In c
oncentration exceeds 1.32. A linear increase of the thermal constant and lo
garithmic resistivity for samples with a nickel content of 0.45 and 0.60 as
a function of the indium content have been observed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci
ence Ltd. All rights reserved.