Regularities of Formation of Complex Oxides with the Fluorite Structure in the ZrO2-Y2O3 System

The crystal and local structures of the complex oxides (1-x)ZrO2 . xY(2)O(3) (YSZ) (x = 0.08-0.40) prepared by precipitation from solutions of metal salts followed by heat treatment in air were comprehensively studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Despite the same crystal structure type of the YSZ powders (cubic system, space group Fm (3) over bar (225)), there are differences in the local structure of the samples. Comparison of the Raman spectra recorded at different laser excitation wavelengths provided the conclusion that the peaks observed in the Raman spectra of the YSZ samples with high yttrium content (x = 0.18-0.40) are likely to be due to luminescence of the powders.