Abstract
A heat treatment combining cyclic oxidation/reduction with an applied electric field is described that enhances the diffusion of Pt into TiO2-x ceramics and causes a reaction product of PtTi3 to be formed. The PtTi3 forms as lamellar microstructures within the TiO2-x rutile grains. The ceramics produced by this heat treatment have markedly altered electrical properties showing room-temperature conductivities increased several orders of magnitude and asymmetrical conductivity (rectification) characteristics.