Preparation of Yttria-Stabilized Nanocrystalline Zirconia with Tunable Optical Properties

We present a systematic study investigating yttria dopant concentrations effects on crystal phase compositions of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and the respective bulk optical properties. (ZrO2), a traditional structural ceramic possesses excellent mechanical properties, while simultaneously possessing a wide band gap (5-7eV). This combination of properties opens the door for designs and fabrication of transparent structural ceramics. We use Current-Assisted Pressure Activated Densification (CAPAD), to achieve high heating rates, and comparatively short hold-times, which leads to ceramics with very fine grain sizes. This affords the opportunity to investigate, the effects of yttria dopant concentration on the resultant microstructure (grain size, phases and phase ratios).