Liquid phase sintering of alumina-silica co-doped cerium dioxide CeO2 ceramics

Pure and low alpha-Al2O3/SiO2 co-doped ceria specimens were prepared by conventional ceramic processing using powder metallurgy. This study investigated the effect of co-doping on the microstructural and structural prop-erties of cerium dioxide was investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The co-addition of alumina and silica promoted liquid phase sintering and significantly contributed to grain growth, even in the small concentrations of the present study (1 and 2 wt%). A glassy look phase precipitated at the grain boundaries, a characteristic feature of liquid phase sintering. The addition of dopants to the formulation greatly enhanced the grain growth process without disturbing the CeO2 structure.