Influence of HfO2 alloying effect on microstructure and thermal conductivity of HoTaO4 ceramics

HfO2 alloying effect has been applied to optimize thermal insulation performance of HoTaO4 ceramics. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are employed to decide the crystal structure. Scanning electronic microscopy is utilized to detect the influence of HfO2 alloying effect on microstructure. Current paper indicates that the same numbers of Ta5+ and Ho3+ ions of HoTaO4 are substituted by Hf4+ cations, and it is defined as alloying effect. No crystal structural transition is introduced by HfO2 alloying effect, and circular pores are produced in HoTaO4. HfO2 alloying effect is efficient in decreasing thermal conductivity of HoTaO4 and it is contributed to the differences of ionic radius and atomic weight between Hf4+ ions and host cations (Ta5+ and Ho3+). The least experimental thermal conductivity is 0.8 W.K-1.m(-1) at 900 degrees C, which is detected in 6 and 9 mol%-HfO2 HoTaO4 ceramics. The results imply that HfO2-HoTaO4 ceramics are promising thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) due to their extraordinary thermal insulation performance.