Preparation and microstructural characterization of (Nd1-xGdx)2(Ce1-xZrx)2O7 solid solutions

(Nd1-xGdx)(2)(Ce1-xZrx)(2)O-7 (0 <= x <= 1.0) powders with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized with chemical-coprecipitation and calcination method, and were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The sintering behaviour of (Nd1-xGdx)(2)(Ce1-xZrx)(2)O-7 powders was studied by pressureless sintering at 1600-1700 degrees C for 10h in air. The relative densities of (Nd1-xGdx)(2)(Ce1-xZrx)(2)O-7 solid solutions increase with increasing the sintering temperature, and gradually decrease with increasing the content of neodymium and cerium at identical temperature levels. (Nd1-xGdx)(2)(Ce1-xZrx)(2)O-7 solid solutions have a single phase of defect fluorite-type structure among all the composition combinations studied. The lattice parameters of (Nd1-xGdx)(2)(Ce1-xZrx)(2)O-7 solid solutions agree well with the Vegard's rule. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.