Electrtic transport properties and the size effect in ZrO2-based ceramic materials

Amorphous nanomaterials in the ZrO2-CeO2 system are synthesized. The aging and crystallization processes in a complex zirconium-cerium hydrogel are investigated. Powders with a crystal size of 45-100 nm are prepared. Samples having a porosity of less than 2.2% are produced from the powders. It is demonstrated that tetragonal zirconia-based solid solutions Zr1-xCexO2-delta sintered at a temperature of 1500 degrees C possess ionic conductivity in air and in noble gasses. The assumptions are made regarding the mechanisms of ionic (surface anionic) and electronic (hopping) conduction in samples of the 88ZrO(2) center dot 12CeO(2) (mol %) composition. The solid solutions prepared can be used at a temperature of 720 degrees C as high-strength inexpensive solid electrolytes.