Evolution of yttria-stabilized zirconia (100) surface morphology with temperature

The evolution with temperature of the morphology of yttria-stabilized zirconia (100) stepped surfaces has been studied by AFM in a non-contact dynamic mode in air. The characteristics of the surface structure as the average step heights and terrace widths are determined as a function of the annealing temperature. Step formation begins around 0.43 TM (1000 °C). Step coalescence is observed above 0.50 TM (1200 °C) and leads to a stable stepped structure at 0.60 TM (1500 °C). The processes responsible for the structural evolution observed on the sample surfaces are discussed and a comparison with results obtained on Al2O3 (0001) single crystal surfaces under similar experimental conditions is presented.