Structure, conductivity and luminescence of 8 mol% scandia-doped zirconia prepared by sol–gel

The synthesis of nanoparticles of 8 mol% Sc2O3 doped ZrO2 by a sol–gel method is presented here along with the characterisation of the powder by XRD, TEM and TG. SEM, Raman and XRD were used for the structural characterisation of sintered pellets while the electrical properties were studied by ac impedance and 4-point dc measurements in air between 300 and 1000 °C. A phase transition around 450 °C was observed: above this temperature the structure is cubic, presents a higher conductivity and shows considerable levels of laser stimulated luminescence as observed in the Raman spectra. The luminescence can be then used as a very clear way of following the aging of Sc-stabilised zirconia.