New Paramagnetic Center in Cu-Doped Y-Stabilized ZrO2

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Cu-doped Y-stabilized ZrO2 powders calcined at 800 degrees C-1000 degrees C are presented. It was found that the calcination of the samples at high temperatures leads to dramatic modification of EPR spectrum and appearance of new Cu-related signal. Computer simulations of both X- and Q-band spectra allowed to determine the following parameters of the copper centers: S = 1/2, I = 3/2, g(x) = 2.021, g(y) = 2.026, g(z) = 2.168, A(xx) x 40 x 10(-4) cm(-4), A(yy) x 35 x 10(-4) cm(-4), A(zz) x 186 x 10(-4) cm(-4), A(xz) x 10 x 10(-4) cm(-4), A(yz) x 5 x 10(-4) cm(-4) for the Cu-63 isotope. The analysis of the experimental data allows proposing center model as Cu-Zr(2+) in the monoclinic ZrO2 lattice. The comparison with photoluminescent data allows assumption that EPR center investigated participate in the light emission process. (C) 2020 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.